Korean J Gastroenterol.  2003 Jun;41(6):486-492.

Clinical Characteristics and Nerve Conduction Study Findings in Peripheral Neuropathy of Patients with Liver Cirrhosis

• Choi YJ
• Baik SK
• Suk KT
• Kim JM
• Je MG
• Kim HS
• Lee DK
• Kwon SO
• Park KC
• Lee JY
• Bae SW

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In liver cirrhosis, symptoms such as paraesthesia and numbness are associated with peripheral neuropathy ("hepatic neuropathy"). The prevalence and nerve conduction study (NCS) of hepatic neuropathy have not been reported yet in Korea. This prospective study was designed to evaluate the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and NCS of hepatic neuropathy, and to compare peripheral neuropathy of alcoholic cirrhosis with that of nonalcoholic cirrhosis. METHODS: Seventy-three patients with liver cirrhosis underwent neurological evaluations including a history and neurological examinations relevant to the peripheral nervous system. NCS was performed in all subjects. RESULTS: Peripheral neuropathy was found in 53.4% of the patients. Sensory neuropathy was observed more frequently than motor neuropathy on NCS. Overall, the pattern of neuropathy was axonal degeneration. There was no difference in the characteristics of peripheral neuropathy between the patients with alcoholic cirrhosis and the patients with nonalcoholic cirrhosis. Among 29 patients with neurologic symptom and sign, 22 patients (76%) showed an abnormality in NCS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy is 53.4%. This study suggests that symptoms such as numbness or paraesthesia in patients with cirrhosis are related to peripheral neuropathy.

Keyword

Liver cirrhosis; Peripheral nervous system diseases; Neural conduction; Alcohols