Alcohol (Ethanol) Related Neuropathy Follow-up

  • Author: Tarakad S Ramachandran, MBBS, FRCP(C), FACP; Chief Editor: Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA   more...
 
Updated: Feb 6, 2012
 

Prognosis

  • The prognosis of alcoholic neuropathy generally is good, as reported by Hillbom and Wennberg in their series of 10 patients.[18]
    • Provided that alcohol intake is discontinued and other causes of neuropathy (eg, malignancy, diabetes, nerve trauma) are carefully excluded, clinical and electrophysiologic examinations returned to normal or near normal. This is independent of age.
    • Prognosis is generally better in patients who are healthy and well nourished. Recovery is presumed to be due to regeneration and collateral sprouting of damaged axons.
  • Studies have shown that patients with mild-to-moderate neuropathy can significantly improve, but the improvement is usually incomplete in those with severe findings.
 
Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Tarakad S Ramachandran, MBBS, FRCP(C), FACP  Professor of Neurology, Clinical Professor of Medicine, Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery, State University of New York Upstate Medical University; Chair, Department of Neurology, Crouse Irving Memorial Hospital

Tarakad S Ramachandran, MBBS, FRCP(C), FACP is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pain Medicine, American College of Forensic Examiners, American College of International Physicians, American College of Managed Care Medicine, American College of Physicians, American Heart Association, American Stroke Association, Royal College of Physicians, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada, Royal College of Surgeons of England, and Royal Society of Medicine

Disclosure: Abbott Labs None None; Teva Marion None None; Boeringer-Ingelheim Honoraria Speaking and teaching

Coauthor(s)

Charles Gellido, MD  Laboratory Director, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine

Charles Gellido, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Jonathan S Rutchik, MD, MPH  Clinical Professor, Division of Occupational Medicine, Department of Neurology, Environmental and Occupational Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine

Jonathan S Rutchik, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, and Society of Toxicology

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Neil A Busis, MD  Chief, Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Head, Clinical Neurophysiology Laboratory, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center-Shadyside

Neil A Busis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology and American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Selim R Benbadis, MD  Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida College of Medicine

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, and American Medical Association

Disclosure: UCB Pharma Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Lundbeck Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Cyberonics Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Glaxo Smith Kline Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Pfizer Honoraria Speaking, consulting; Sleepmed/DigiTrace Honoraria Speaking, consulting

Chief Editor

Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA  Professor of Neurology, University of Central Florida College of Medicine

Stephen A Berman, MD, PhD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: Alpha Omega Alpha, American Academy of Neurology, and Phi Beta Kappa

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  19. Adams R, Victor M. Diseases of the nervous system due to nutritional deficiency. In: Principles of Neurology. McGraw-Hill; 1977:757.

  20. Brust JCM, Britton C, Chiriboga CA, et al. Mancall EL, ed. Neurological Complications of Substance Abuse. Vol 3. 1997:89.

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  23. Windebank AJ. Polyneuropathy due to nutritional deficiency and alcoholism. In: Dyck P, Thomas P, Lambert E, Bunge R, eds. Peripheral Neuropathy. Philadelphia: 1993:1310.

 
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