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Chronic alcoholic skeletal myopathy--common and reversible
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)
|May 1, 1985
Summary
Alcohol abuse frequently causes reversible muscle fiber atrophy, particularly type 2b fibers. This muscle pathology improves with abstinence and is directly linked to alcohol intake, not malnutrition or vitamin deficiencies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Musculoskeletal Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Musculoskeletal symptoms are prevalent in individuals with alcohol use disorder.
- The specific muscle pathology associated with alcoholism remains poorly understood.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the link between alcohol consumption and muscle damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of muscle pathology in alcoholics.
- To determine the relationship between alcohol consumption and muscle fiber atrophy.
- To differentiate alcohol-induced muscle damage from other potential causes like malnutrition or neuropathy.
Main Methods:
- Quadriceps muscle biopsies were analyzed from 151 individuals with a history of alcoholism.
- Histopathological examination focused on fiber type, atrophy, and necrosis.
- Correlation analyses were performed between alcohol intake, nutritional status, and nerve conduction studies.
Main Results:
- Ninety out of 151 alcoholics exhibited type 2 fiber atrophy, predominantly affecting type 2b fibers.
- Alcohol consumption quantity correlated significantly with the severity of muscle atrophy.
- Muscle atrophy was found to be independent of vitamin deficiencies, severe liver disease, malnutrition, and peripheral neuropathy.
Conclusions:
- Reversible type 2b muscle fiber atrophy is a common finding in alcoholics.
- Alcohol consumption is directly implicated as the cause of this muscle atrophy.
- Recovery of muscle pathology is achievable through alcohol abstinence.