Synonym: alcohol-induced muscle disease (AIMD)
Clinical features:
(1) chronic condition associated with long-term alcohol abuse
(2) manifested by
(2a) proximal muscle weakness
(2b) variable muscle cramping and pain
(2c) muscle wastage
(2d) gait disorder
(3) status parallels alcohol misuse (improves with abstinence, worsens with chronic use)
Laboratory and pathologic findings:
(1) variable elevation in the serum CK (often normal, especially if myopathy is low grade)
(2) muscle biopsy shows a selective Type 2 fiber atrophy
The patient may also have:
(1) alcohol-related peripheral neuropathy
(2) hypokalemia or other electrolyte abnormality affecting muscles
(3) diabetes or other metabolic conditions that can cause a myopathy
(4) malnutrition
(5) alcoholic cardiomyopathy
