Is there a relationship between somatic and autonomic neuropathies in chronic alcoholics?

We investigated the relationship between somatic and autonomic neuropathy in 40 chronic alcoholics. Electromyographic and neurographic studies of upper and lower limbs and a battery of six cardiovascular reflex tests were carried out. A score for somatic or autonomic neuropathy was calculated. All parameters were investigated for possible relationship with total life dose (TLD) of alcohol intake. Somatic neuropathy was detected in 25 patients (62.5%) and autonomic neuropathy in 13 patients (32.5%). Nineteen patients (47.5%) presented only a somatic neuropathy, six patients (15%) had only an autonomic neuropathy, and seven (17.5%) had a combined somatic and autonomic neuropathy. TLD was significantly higher in the group of patients with combined neuropathy than in the group with isolated somatic neuropathy. There was no significant correlation between laboratory parameters of somatic and autonomic neuropathy. Our findings do not support the existence of a parallel involvement of peripheral somatic and autonomic cardiovascular nerve fibers in chronic alcoholism.