DECREASED MUSCLE STRENGTH IN PATIENTS WITH ALCOHOLIC LIVER-CIRRHOSIS IN RELATION TO NUTRITIONAL-STATUS, ALCOHOL ABSTINENCE, LIVER-FUNCTION,AND NEUROPATHY

To study motor function quantitatively in alcoholic liver cirrhosis mu scle strength, liver function, peripheral nerve function, and nutritio n were assessed in 24 patients. Isokinetic strength of flexion and ext ension at elbow wrist, hip, knee, and ankle and of shoulder abduction and adduction was evaluated and compared with findings in 24 matched h ealthy subjects. Degree of liver disease was assessed with the Child-P ugh score and the galactose elimination capacity (GEC). Nutritional st atus was evaluated with an estimation of lean body mass (LBM) from 24- hour urinary creatinine excretions. Peripheral nerve function was eval uated with neurological symptom and disability scores, nerve conductio n studies, and quantitative sensory tests summed to obtain a neuropath y rank-sum score (NRSS) for each patient. Combined muscle strength at hip, knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow and wrist were weakened with 34% (P < .005), 35% (P < .001), 35% (P < .01), 34% (P < .01), 29% (P < .01), and 29% (P < .02), respectively. The median Child-Pugh score was 7 (ra nge, 5-12), and the median duration of alcohol abstinence was 90 days (range, 5-960 days). After multiple linear regression analysis includi ng LBM, Child-Pugh score, GEC, duration of alcohol abstinence, and NRS S, only LBM was correlated to the strength at the knee (r = .79; P < . 0001) and at the ankle (r = .63; P < .01). It is concluded that muscle strength is weakened substantially in alcoholic patients with liver c irrhosis and that weakness is related to the severity of malnutrition but not to the severity of liver disease, duration of alcohol abstinen ce, or neuropathy.