Celine Dion’s battle with stiff person syndrome is shedding light on the rare condition.
Back in December 2022, the singer revealed her diagnosis while simultaneously announcing the cancellation and rescheduling of her 2023 shows.
In a 2022 video on Instagram, Celine Dion shared, “I’ve been facing health issues for a long time and it has been incredibly challenging for me.”
The documentary “I Am: Celine Dion”, released on Tuesday, chronicles her journey with the diagnosis.
“It has brought attention to this particular disease,” said Dr. Richard Nash, a physician with the Colorado Blood Cancer Institute, who has conducted research on autoimmune diseases like stiff person syndrome.
“Treatments are not very effective, so when patients present with stiff person syndrome, the natural course of the disease is typically progression,” he noted.
So, what exactly is stiff person syndrome, also known as SPS?
It is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that can cause muscle stiffness or painful spasms, affecting individuals differently. These symptoms can be triggered by stressful events or changes in temperature.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, only about 1 in 1 million people are diagnosed with this condition.
Physicians state that Celine Dion’s openness about her diagnosis has increased awareness of research being conducted on this incurable disorder.
“We’ve seen this occur with other diseases when a well-known individual acts as a spokesperson, which encourages research and awareness,” Dr. Nash explained.
Dr. Nash is actively involved in studies and research on treatments for this condition.
“We have been investigating the effects of transplant for patients with autoimmune disorders,” he mentioned.
Dr. Nash participated in a study that showed clinical improvement in stiffness index and walking time after patients with stiff person syndrome underwent a stem cell transplant. The study was published in January.
“This is ongoing research, so we are still exploring the benefits and risks associated with the treatment,” Dr. Nash added.
@scrippsnews Celine Dion’s new documentary discusses the singer’s journey with her stiff person syndrome diagnosis. While there is no cure for the condition, it has brought more awareness to research on possible treatments. #CelineDion #StiffPersonSyndrome #news #medicalresearch ♬ original sound – Scripps News
