Alcohol Research: Current Reviews | Alcoholic Myopathy: Pathophysiologic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Alcohol Research: Current Reviews | Alcoholic Myopathy: Pathophysiologic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Alcoholic Myopathy: Pathophysiologic Mechanisms and Clinical Implications Skeletal muscle dysfunction (i.e., myopathy) is common in patients with chronic alcohol use disorder (AUD), with some studies suggesting it occurs in 40-60% of patients. Although alcohol-related muscle disease is nearly 5 times more common than liver cirrhosis, its contribution to long-term health and disease in patients with AUD is not well-understood. This review explores the epidemiology of alcohol-related myopathy, alcohol’s effects on mechanisms controlling muscle mass and function, and potential therapeutic approaches.