[Changes in the peripheral nerve trunks of the extremities in patients with peptic ulcer and chronic alcoholism].

Examined were 172 patients with chronic alcoholism (112 males with alcoholism + ulcer disease; age: 30-49 years. 60 patients (age: 40-59 years did not suffer from ulcer disease. 60% of patients with chronic alcoholism showed polyneuropathy but polyneuropathy occurred more frequently (83.9%) in association of chronic alcoholism with ulcer disease. It is concluded that the presence of ulcer disease deteriorates significantly the course of alcohol polyneuropathy and all patients suffering of alcoholism and, in particular, when associated with polyneuropathy should be examined for the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Early revealed pathology of the gastrointestinal tract will result in adequate treatment both of alcohol polyneuropathy and gastrointestinal diseases.