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Chronic proximal muscular weakness in alcoholics
South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
|December 11, 1976
Summary
Chronic alcohol use causes muscle weakness, often mistaken for myopathy. This study in 13 patients confirms it is actually peripheral neuropathy, showing selective type 2 neurogenic atrophy with reinnervation.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Muscle Physiology
- Toxicology
Background:
- Peripheral neuropathy is common in alcoholics.
- Chronic proximal muscle weakness and wasting in alcoholics are often misattributed to myopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of chronic proximal muscular weakness and wasting in alcoholics.
- To differentiate between alcoholic myopathy and neuropathy.
Main Methods:
- Clinical, biochemical, and histological examination of 13 patients.
- Enzymic histochemistry of muscle tissue.
Main Results:
- Evidence supporting neuropathy as the cause of muscle weakness.
- Selective type 2 neurogenic atrophy observed in muscle.
- Signs of muscle reinnervation were present.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol-induced proximal muscle weakness is primarily due to neuropathy, not myopathy.
- Muscle pathology shows specific neurogenic changes indicating nerve damage and subsequent repair.