Peripheral neuropathy in chronic alcoholism: a retrospective cross-sectional study in 76 subjects.

A consecutive sample of 76 chronic alcoholic patients was studied clinically, biochemically and electrophysiologically to assess clinical and/or subclinical signs of alcohol-related neuropathy as well as the most important and disputed risk factors for neuropathy such as age, parental history of alcoholism, nutritional status, alcoholic disease duration and total lifetime dose of ethanol (TLDE). The results show that alcohol-related neuropathy, especially when subclinical, seems to be frequent and mostly characterized by axonal degeneration of peripheral nerve fibres with earlier and more frequent involvement of sensory fibres and lower limbs. Moreover, positive family history of alcoholism, but above all alcoholic disease duration and TLDE, could be more important factors than malnutrition in determining neuropathy.

Gender and peripheral neuropathy in chronic alcoholism: a clinical-electroneurographic study.

In some alcohol-related pathologies of chronic alcoholism women are more vulnerable than men. A consecutive sample of 62 chronic alcoholics was studied, 18 females and 44 males, aged between 28 and 69 years to assess the incidence and distribution of peripheral neuropathy with regard to gender. All patients underwent clinical and neurological observations, laboratory tests, and electroneurography.