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 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.
The American Journal of Medicine
