High prevalence of neuropathies in patients with end-stage liver disease

Abstract

Cocito D, Maule S, Paolasso I, Castelli L, Ciaramitaro P, Poglio F, Ottobrelli A, Grimaldi S. High prevalence of neuropathies in patients with end-stage liver disease.Acta Neurol Scand: 2010: 122: 36–40.© 2009 The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Blackwell Munksgaard. Objectives – Peripheral neuropathy has been reported in association with end-stage liver disease, but there is only a limited number of reports on the incidence and features of these neuropathies. Materials and methods – In this study, 83 patients awaiting liver transplantation were evaluated for the presence of peripheral and autonomic neuropathy. Results – Sixty-five percent of the patients had evidence of neuropathy, in agreement with peripheral NCS or cardiovascular autonomic function test. The neuropathy was more frequent in patients with advanced hepatic failure, evaluated with the MELD score. The most frequent abnormalities in nerve conduction studies were sensory-motor neuropathies and sensory neuropathies, with a length-dependent pattern. Conclusion – Peripheral neuropathy and autonomic neuropathy are common in patients with end-stage liver disease with different etiology and correlate with the severity of the liver disease.