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Chronic alcoholic myopathy and nutritional status
J C Romero1, F Santolaria, E González-Reimers
1Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, La Laguna, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain.
Alcohol (Fayetteville, N.Y.)
|November 1, 1994
Summary
Chronic alcoholic myopathy affects one-third of patients, characterized by muscle fiber atrophy. This condition is linked to poor nutritional status, suggesting a synergistic effect of ethanol toxicity and malnutrition.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Nutritional Science
- Pathology
Background:
- Alcoholic myopathy is a common complication of chronic alcohol abuse.
- Nutritional status is often compromised in individuals with alcoholism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of alcoholic myopathy.
- To examine the relationship between alcoholic myopathy and nutritional status in hospitalized patients.
Main Methods:
- Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were performed on 60 alcoholic patients.
- Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometry and serum albumin levels.
- Biopsies were analyzed using light and ultrastructural microscopy.
Main Results:
- Muscle fiber atrophy, the hallmark of alcoholic myopathy, was found in 33% of patients.
- Ultrastructural changes were common in atrophic fibers.
- Malnutrition was prevalent, with many patients below the fifth percentile for key anthropometric measures.
- Patients with muscle atrophy or ultrastructural changes exhibited poorer nutritional status, affecting both muscle protein and fat stores.
Conclusions:
- Chronic alcoholic myopathy is prevalent and associated with significant malnutrition.
- Ethanol toxicity and malnutrition likely act synergistically to cause alcoholic myopathy.