Abd-Elsalam Sherief, Arafa Mona, Elkadeem Mahmoud, Elfert Asem, Soliman Shaimaa, Elkhalawany Walaa, Badawi Rehab
Department of Tropical Medicine, Tanta University, Tanta.
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Menofia University, Shebeen El-Kom, Egypt.
Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2019 Apr;31(4):499-502. doi: 10.1097/MEG.0000000000001310.
Muscle cramps occur in 29-88% of patients with liver cirrhosis. They adversely affect quality of life. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of methocarbamol as a novel therapy in controlling muscle cramps in cirrhotic patients.
This study was carried on 100 patients with liver cirrhosis in addition to chronic hepatitis C who presented with frequent muscle cramps (≥three cramps per week). Half of these patients received methocarbamol and the other half received placebo. This was done through equal randomization. Questionnaires on muscle cramp were answered. Patients were evaluated before, after 1 month of treatment, and 2 weeks after washout of treatment in terms of severity, duration, and frequency of cramps. Liver, renal functions, and electrolytes were analyzed. Also, any side effect was detected.
Patients who were treated with methocarbamol showed a significant decrease in the frequency and duration of cramps. Also, the pain score improved significantly. However, no significant changes were observed in the placebo group. Few side effects of methocarbamol were recorded, including dry mouth and drowsiness.
Methocarbamol seems to be a promising safe and well-tolerated medication, and plays a role in the treatment of muscle cramps in patients with liver cirrhosis.
29%至88%的肝硬化患者会出现肌肉痉挛。它们会对生活质量产生不利影响。本研究旨在评估美索巴莫作为一种新型疗法控制肝硬化患者肌肉痉挛的疗效和安全性。
本研究纳入了100例肝硬化合并慢性丙型肝炎且频繁出现肌肉痉挛（每周≥3次）的患者。这些患者通过随机分组，一半接受美索巴莫治疗，另一半接受安慰剂治疗。患者填写了关于肌肉痉挛的问卷。在治疗前、治疗1个月后以及治疗洗脱2周后，对患者的痉挛严重程度、持续时间和频率进行评估。分析肝功能、肾功能和电解质。此外，检测任何副作用。
接受美索巴莫治疗的患者痉挛频率和持续时间显著降低。疼痛评分也显著改善。然而，安慰剂组未观察到显著变化。记录到美索巴莫的副作用较少，包括口干和嗜睡。
美索巴莫似乎是一种有前景的安全且耐受性良好的药物，在治疗肝硬化患者的肌肉痉挛中发挥作用。
