- progressive peripheral nerve injury due to a chronic alcohol use disorder
- Pathophysiology
- Likely multifactorial Mechanisms include malnutrition (e.g., thiamine deficiency) and the toxic effects of Alcohol on the nervous system
- Clinical features:
- Symptoms usually begin in the distal lower extremities and progress slowly over months to years.
- Sensory deficits: usually symmetrical
- Numbness
- Paresthesias
- impaired vibration sense
- Decreased proprioception
- Burning feet syndrome
- Weakness of distal muscles
- Reduced or absent reflexes
- Rare: red, atrophic skin; muscle cramps
- Diagnostics
- Usually diagnosed clinically, Laboratory studies help identify other conditions associated with alcohol use disorder
- Consider electrodiagnostic studies if there is diagnostic uncertainty
- Treatment
- Cessation of Alcohol use
- Vitamin supplementation (e.g., thiamine)
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