Stiff-Person Syndrome Part 2 of 5

Although the specific prevalence of Stiff-Person Syndrome or SPS is unknown, it may occur in fewer than 1 in 1,000,000 persons. It is sometimes referred to as an orphan disease, one of those conditions that occurs so rarely that there are insignificant funds available to support research. Largely as a result of donations, NORD or the National Organization for Rare Disorders awarded a small research grant for SPS in 2010. Likely involving an autoimmune process, there is no clear racial or ethnic predisposition, although the disease may be more common in women than in men. According to www.hopkinsmedicine.org, the ratio is two women for every man effected. Interestingly, SPS has not been described in members of the same family and there is no known genetic predisposition. The link below is to Shane's new website:  http://www.run-to-live.com/