Peripheral neuropathy in liver cirrhosis. A clinical and electrophysiological study

Ital J Gastroenterol. 1995 Sep;27(7):349-54.

Abstract

Clinical symptoms and/or signs of peripheral neuropathy were found in 17 of the 19 patients we studied with liver cirrhosis. In 16 of the 19 patients electrophysiological abnormalities were also observed. Mild-moderate alterations involved both motor and sensory fibres, with a higher incidence in the lower rather than upper limbs, and indicated a fibre loss rather than a fibre demyelination. These changes were observed in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic cirrhotics, suggesting a primary role of liver cirrhosis per se. In fact, both the clinical and electrophysiological abnormalities were related to the severity of the liver disease. A careful clinical examination could reveal the presence and extent of neuropathy in most cirrhotic patients.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Electrophysiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Liver Cirrhosis / complications*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neurons / physiology
  • Neural Conduction
  • Neurons, Afferent / physiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / epidemiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / etiology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Peroneal Nerve / physiopathology
  • Sural Nerve / physiopathology