Causes, Clinical Features and Treatment of Rhabdomyolysis: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Background: RM is a condition of skeletal muscle breakdown which ranges from an asymptomatic illness with elevation in CK level to a life-threatening condition associated with extreme elevation in CK, electrolyte imbalance, AKI, and disseminated intravascular coagulation. In this study, the author analyzed the causes, clinical features, and treatments of RM. Methods: The study collected the records of 48 patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University who were diagnosed RM from June 2012 to August 2016. By using SPSS to analyse the data, the study draw a clear chart about the distribution of patients' age, etiologies and clinical symptoms respectively. The statistic analysis also reveals dramatically change on CK and other indicators after treatment. Results: A total of 48 patients were eligible for the study (mean age = 29.7 ± 12.3 years; 36 males and 12 females). Strenuous exercises and infections took the greatest percent amount the causes of RM. Muscular weakness and muscle aches were the two most common symptoms. Among the patients, 42 received intravenous (IV) fluid therapy, and none developed acute kidney injury (AKI). The other six patients accepted CRRT, five of whom had an alleviation of their symptoms. One patient was transferred to another hospital for further treatment since the primary disease was dermatomyositis and it was non-responsive to immunotherapy. Discussion and conclusions: RM is treatable if early diagnosis, comprehensive therapy, active prevention, and the timely elimination of complications are put into effect. Its main symptoms such as muscle aches, muscular weakness, and dark urine may not presented at the same time. In this study, Strenuous exercise is the most common cause of RM and IV fluid therapy is the cornerstone of RM treatment. CRRT should also be considered when life-threatening electrolyte abnormalities emerge as complications of AKI, or when the RM is non-responsive to initial therapy.