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Peripheral neuropathy in liver cirrhosis
Parampreet S Kharbanda1, Sudesh Prabhakar, Yogesh K Chawla
1Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology
|July 16, 2003
Summary
Peripheral neuropathy is common in liver cirrhosis patients, often subclinical. This condition affects patients regardless of cirrhosis cause, suggesting liver disease itself is the likely culprit.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Hepatology
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Peripheral neuropathy is associated with chronic liver disease, but its incidence and etiology remain debated.
- Previous studies show varied rates and types of neuropathy in cirrhosis patients.
- The direct causal link between liver disease and neuropathy requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence and characteristics of peripheral neuropathy in liver cirrhosis patients.
- To investigate the influence of alcohol consumption, liver disease severity, and encephalopathy on neuropathy.
- To explore the underlying causes of neuropathy in the context of liver cirrhosis.
Main Methods:
- Excluded patients with other known causes of neuropathy (e.g., alcohol, vitamin B12 deficiency, diabetes).
- Evaluated 33 liver cirrhosis patients clinically and electrophysiologically.
- Performed nerve conduction studies on upper and lower limbs using surface electrodes.
Main Results:
- Clinical neuropathy signs were present in 21% of patients; electrophysiological abnormalities were found in 73%.
- The predominant pattern was axonal sensory motor polyneuropathy.
- Neuropathy occurred in both alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related cirrhosis, with no significant difference based on encephalopathy or liver disease severity.
Conclusions:
- A significant proportion of liver cirrhosis patients exhibit peripheral neuropathy, frequently subclinical.
- Neuropathy is present irrespective of the cirrhosis etiology.
- Liver disease itself is the probable cause of neuropathy, as it was observed in both alcohol-related and non-alcohol-related cirrhosis without significant etiological differentiation.