Clinical study on electrophysiological evaluation of asymptomatic neuropathy in alcohol dependence syndrome

 

 

Abstract              Background: Alcohol consumption results in multiple end-organ damages. Alcoholic neuropathy is the most common deleterious effect of excessive alcohol intake. The incidence of alcoholic neuropathy in the general population is not accurate as the percentage varies widely depending on the definition of chronic alcoholism and the criteria used to detect and classify neuropathy. Few studies suggest that the incidence of peripheral neuropathy is higher in alcoholic patients who have a family history of alcohol dependence syndrome. Aims And Objectives: To detect the prevalence of asymptomatic neuropathy in Alcohol dependent syndrome patients Vinayaka missions’ hospital Salem. Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional study with 100 cases was done. Alcohol-dependent syndrome patients were chosen based on CAGE criteria. Patients with normal RBS and other possible causes for neuropathy were ruled out history-wise. Clinical examination was done to rule out patients with neuropathy findings. Results: Findings in NCS show that there was a significant reduction in the action potential of median, ulnar and peroneal motor nerves. Prolongation of latency and action potential was found to be reduced in sural nerves. Axonal neuropathy was the predominant pathology. A cut-off value for developing neuropathy was found. Age>43 years, Duration of alcohol 12 years, Units per week 25 units /week. Finally, a statistically significant correlation was found between neuropathy and age of the study population, duration, and units of alcohol consumption, CAGE criteria (p value= <0.001) was established in the present study. Conclusion: Common peroneal and sural nerves are the most common nerves to be involved in neuropathy. Predominantly axonal degeneration is the main pathology. Units of alcohol and CAGE criteria score has a 100% specificity in detecting patients prone for neuropathy So the implementation of suitable preventive measurement and therapy methodologies can be applied to decrease the complications of alcohol.

Keywords: Alcohol dependence syndrome, alcohol use disorder, alcoholic neuropathy, alcohol-related neuropathy, CAGE, SAD-Q.