[Alcoholism, polyneuropathy, and liver disease. A prospective electrophysiologic study]

A prospective clinical and electrophysiologic study was performed in 50 alcoholic patients in order to assess the incidence and clinical manifestations of alcoholic polyneuropathy, the value of the electrophysiologic parameters studied, and the influence of liver disease on the appearance of neuropathy. The proposed criteria for polyneuropathy were fulfilled by 24% of the patients. Abolition of the Achillean reflexes was the most frequent clinical finding, while reduced amplitude of muscular potential was the most sensitive electrophysiologic parameter. There were no differences in alcohol consumption, frequency of liver disease, and degree of alteration of liver function in cirrhotics between patients with and without polyneuropathy.