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Prevalence and Morbidity Associated with Muscle Cramps in Patients with Cirrhosis
- Source :
-
American Journal of Medicine . Oct2012, Vol. 125 Issue 10, p1019-1025. 7p. - Publication Year :
- 2012
-
Abstract
- Abstract: Purpose: Patients with cirrhosis often experience muscle cramps with varying severity. We investigated the factors associated with the prevalence and morbidity associated with muscle cramps. Methods: A total of 150 adult patients with cirrhosis were enrolled consecutively. Cramp questionnaire with visual analogue scale for pain, Chronic Liver Disease Questionnaire (CLDQ), and blood for measurement of 25-(OH) vitamin D levels were obtained after informed consent. Results: A total of 101 patients (67%) reported muscle cramps in the preceding 3 months. Patients with cramps had significantly lower serum albumin (3.1±0.6 g/dL vs 3.3±0.7 g/dL, P =.04) and CLDQ scores (107±37 vs 137±34, P <.0001) compared with those without cramps. The median composite symptom score, defined as product of frequency and severity of cramps, in the study cohort was 12 with a range of 0.3 to 200. There were no clinical or biochemical predictors for occurrence of any cramps or severe cramps (composite symptom score>12). Muscle cramps (P <.001) and hepatic encephalopathy (P=.009) were associated independently with decreased CLDQ scores. Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 66% of the study cohort, but the serum 25-(OH) vitamin D levels were not significantly different between patients with and without cramps (18.0±8.9 ng/mL vs 19.6±9.5 ng/mL, P=.49). Conclusions: Muscle cramps are associated with significantly diminished quality of life in patients with cirrhosis. More research is needed to better understand their mechanism to develop effective treatment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 00029343
- Volume :
- 125
- Issue :
- 10
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- American Journal of Medicine
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 80181737
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2012.03.012