PERIPHERAL-NERVE FUNCTIONS IMPROVE IN CHRONIC-ALCOHOLIC PATIENTS ON ABSTINENCE

We studied the peripheral nerve functions of 24 chronic alcoholic pati ents admitted to the alcohol rehabilitation ward. The study included c linical examination, detailed evaluation of nutritional status, quanti tative vibration sense estimation and electrodiagnostic study of the p eripheral nerves in the upper and lower limbs. During the subsequent 6 months all of the above measures were repeated at intervals of 1, 3 a nd 6 months, while the patients abstained from alcohol. Several of the parameters studied showed mild but definite improvement during 6 mont hs.