A patient with cirrhosis may experience painful muscle cramps. This can negatively impact the patient's quality of life.
Muscle cramps:
(1) can occur several times per week
(2) can wake the patient from sleep
(3) can occur while the patient is at rest
Pathophysiology may involve:
(1) altered energy metabolism, including taurine deficiency
(2) alerted nerve function and perfusion
(3) fluid and electrolyte imbalances
(4) myopathy
Conditions seen in cirrhosis that may contribute to cramps:
(1) end-stage renal disease in hepatorenal syndrome
(2) vitamin B12 or vitamin B1 deficiency
(3) electrolyte abnormalities (hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia)
(4) medications
Management requires identifying possible risk factors and correcting any deficiencies.
