Electrophysiological Evaluation of Peripheral Neuropathy in Chronic Alcoholic Patients

Abstract

Electro diagnostic findings helps us to find out type of neuropathy and associated neurological conditions like radiculopathies etc. Knowledge of which will be useful for prognosis of disease, planning line of treatment and for further research. Nerve conduction studies were carried out in 55 alcoholic patients. Alcoholic patients were divided into three groups depending upon number of years, taking alcohol. Group 1) up to two year, Group 2) More than two years to four years, Group 3) More than four years to six years and more. Nerve conduction study was carried out as per standard method. Amplitudes of CMAPs and SNAPs were affected earlier than conduction velocities. lower extremity nerves were initially affected than upper extremity nerve. Sensory and motor nerves were equally affected. More was the duration of alcohol intake more was the deterioration in nerve conduction study. Axonal loss was the main cause of poly neuropathy mainly affecting lower extremity nerves. So further research is required to find out exact cause of changes and how much because of toxic effects of alcohol and how much because of vitamin and nutrition deficiencies and other factors associated with alcohol consumption.