Neuropatie způsobené etanolem // SOLEN

Neurológia pre prax 3/2018

Neuropatie způsobené etanolem

Neuropathies due to ethanol abuse Chronical alcohol abuse may affect among the others also peripheral nervous system. Although high prevalence among alcoholics this group of diseases remains often neglected. Alcohol abuse affects all types of nerve fibers including thin unmyelinated ones mediating pain. The range of damage rise from mono – to polyneuropathies and the disease course may fluctuate from acute to chronic one. Alcohol neuropathy is caused by two dominant pathophysiological mechanisms: 1) direct toxicity of ethanol and its metabolite of acetaldehyde, 2) alcohol interaction with thiamine metabolism resulting in nutritional neuropathy. Axonal damage is the dominant hallmark of neuropathy detectable on EMG. The treatment is substitutional by thiamin administration, dietary and also behavioral (by abstinence often requiring the care of psychiatrist).

Keywords: alcohol abuse, ethanol, axonal neuropathy, tiamin deficiency