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| Credit: Céline Dion/Instagram |
In a recent conversation with People Magazine, Dr. Amanda Piquet, who treats Céline Dion for stiff-person syndrome (SPS), highlighted the urgent need for more research on this rare and incurable disease.
Dr. Piquet explained that SPS is difficult to diagnose due to its similarity to other neurological disorders. “It's a hard disease to diagnose because it's not well recognized by the medical system,” she noted.
Céline Dion, the renowned singer, recently revealed her battle with SPS, which is characterized by muscle stiffness and painful spasms. According to John Hopkins Medicine, this rare autoimmune disorder affects about 2 in every 100,000 people.
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| Credit: Céline Dion/Instagram |
Dr. Piquet also pointed out the misdiagnosis challenges, saying, “This is a rare disease, and it can look a lot like other things. So at first, when the muscle spasms start, they tend to just come and go, and it can mimic many other neurologic diseases.”
During the interview, she discussed the lack of FDA-approved treatments for SPS. “We don't have FDA-approved therapies for this disease. While we use these treatments, everything is off-label,” she said, emphasizing the reliance on unapproved medications.
Speaking about the experiences of her patients, Dr. Piquet shared, “A lot of my patients are so determined to just find better treatments for this disease because it is just so devastating.”
Dr. Piquet urged the medical community to invest in clinical trials and further research. "I've certainly had patients that have clear improvements with these therapies, but we need clinical trials and research to tell us what truly is best," she stated.
As the public learns more about Céline Dion’s diagnosis, the spotlight on SPS might encourage advancements in understanding and treating this challenging disorder.
Related: Billy Porter's Music Industry Exit: No Plans to Return After Céline Dion Records His Song
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