Peripheral neuropathy is common in those consuming large quantities of alcohol over a period of several years. It has been possible to demonstrate the impaired function of peripheral motor and sensory fibers in alcoholic patients using electrodiagnostic methods whether there is any clinical manifestation of peripheral neuropathy or not. The subjects of this study were 30 normal adult males as the control group, and 24 chronic alcoholic patients who were admitted to Wonju Christian Hospital, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine and referred to the electrodiagnostic laboratory for nerve conduction study from March 1988 to August 1989, as the patient group. The results are as follows: 1) The mean patient age is 47 years and the mean duration of alcoholism is 19 years. 2) In the patient group, the mean distal latency of motor fibers is prolonged and the mean conduction velocity is decreased significantly compared to those of the controls. 3) The mean distal latency of sensory fibers in patients is significantly prolonged compared to that of controls. 4) The mean amplitude of sensory nerve action potential in patients is significantly lower than that of the controls. 5) There is no significance in patient nerve conduction study values according to duration of alcoholism or patient age. |