Use of transcutaneous nerve stimulation in the attacks of acute intermittent porphyria.

A 38-year-old female with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP) was having regular recurrent premenstrual severe attacks of abdominal and chest pain due to the disease. Low-frequency transcutaneous nerve stimulation (TNS) premenstrually prevented or markedly reduced the severity of clinical attacks, associated with a reduced urinary porphyrin excretion. The possible mechanisms of the TNS-induced effects are discussed. This experience suggests that TNS may be an effective and simple prophylactic method in the management of the attacks in AIP. The method can be administered easily by the patient himself as home-treatment and is free of side-effects.