Effect of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin on quality of life in patients with stiff-person syndrome.

Abstract

The therapeutic effects of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) on the stiff-person syndrome (SPS) have been described exclusively in case reports or open-label studies in terms of clinical outcomes. We investigate whether IVIG improves quality of life (QoL) in the SPS. Six patients with the classic form of SPS completed a generic QoL instrument, the SF-36, and a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) before treatment as well as 2 weeks after completion of a course of IVIG. There was significant improvement in the SF-36 subscores for pain, social functioning, general mental health, and energy-vitality with treatment. The VAS also improved significantly. We conclude that treatment with IVIG improves QoL in the SPS.

• Authors: Willibald Gerschlager, Peter Brown
• Journal: Movement disorders : official journal of the Movement Disorder Society (Mov Disord) Vol. 17 Issue 3 Pg. 590-3 (May 2002) ISSN: 0885-3185 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12112212 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright 2002 Movement Disorder Society.

Chemical References

• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous

Topics

• Aged
• Female
• Humans
• Immunoglobulins, Intravenous (therapeutic use)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Quality of Life
• Stiff-Person Syndrome (drug therapy, psychology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Time Factors
• Treatment Outcome