Rhabdomyolysis
Basics
Description
- Breakdown of muscle and release of intracellular contents into the bloodstream
- Most commonly caused by traumatic muscle injury
- Typically presents with muscle pain, weakness, and reddish brown (tea-colored) urine
- Up to 50% of patients are asymptomatic.
Epidemiology
Most common among
- Males; <10 years old; >60 years old; BMI >40 kg/m3
Incidence
- 25,000 reported cases annually in the United States
- Although muscle-related side effects of statins are the most common reason for discontinuation of statins, rhabdomyolysis is only seen in 0.5% of patients.
Etiology and Pathophysiology
- Direct muscle trauma (most common cause)
- Crush injuries; fractures; extended periods of muscle pressure (during surgery, unconscious from alcohol ingestion, coma); burns, electrocution, lightning strike
- Muscle exertion
- New strenuous and/or prolonged physical exercise (marathon runners, athletes, contact sports); seizures; delirium tremens; malignant hyperthermia; neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
- Drugs and toxins
- Alcohol; cocaine (most common recreational drug), methamphetamine, phencyclidine, heroin, bath salts (1)[B], and synthetic marijuana has been associated with severe rhabdomyolysis; antipsychotics (due to NMS, malignant hyperthermia, and dystonia); zidovudine; antimalarials; HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins)—develops about 2 to 3 weeks after initiating therapy (risk <0.01%, elevated with higher doses and in combination with fibrates); colchicine; corticosteroids; carbon monoxide; snake envenomation; scorpion bites
- Muscle ischemia
- Thrombosis, embolism, sickle cell disease; compartment syndrome; tourniquets
- Infections
- Viral: influenza A and B, coxsackievirus, HIV, varicella
- Bacterial: Streptococcus or Staphylococcus sepsis, gas gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, Salmonella, Legionella
- Malaria
- Hypothermia; hyperthermia
- Autoimmune disorders
- Polymyositis, dermatomyositis
- Metabolic and endocrinologic:
- Hypothyroidism or thyrotoxicosis; electrolyte imbalances (e.g., hyponatremia, hypernatremia, hypokalemia, hypocalcemia, hypophosphatemia); diabetic ketoacidosis; hyperosmolar state
Genetics
Hereditary causes of rhabdomyolysis are rare but should be suspected in children; patients with recurrent attacks; or patients who have attacks after minimal exertion, mild illness, or starvation.
- Genetic disorders
- Muscular dystrophies; disorders of lipid metabolism (e.g., carnitine palmitoyltransferase deficiency)
- Disorders of carbohydrate metabolism (i.e., phosphofructokinase deficiency, phosphoglycerate mutase, myophosphorylase deficiency, a.k.a. McArdle disease/deficiency); glycogen storage diseases (e.g., phosphorylase B kinase deficiency) and others (e.g., lactate dehydrogenase A deficiency, phosphofructokinase deficiency)
- Mitochondrial disorders; sickle cell trait
General Prevention
- Avoid excessive exertion; ensure adequate hydration.
- Avoid precipitating drugs, metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities.
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Citation
Domino, Frank J., et al., editors. "Rhabdomyolysis." 5-Minute Clinical Consult, 33rd ed., Wolters Kluwer, 2025. Medicine Central, im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816583/all/Rhabdomyolysis.
Rhabdomyolysis. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, et al, eds. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816583/all/Rhabdomyolysis. Accessed December 10, 2024.
Rhabdomyolysis. (2025). In Domino, F. J., Baldor, R. A., Golding, J., & Stephens, M. B. (Eds.), 5-Minute Clinical Consult (33rd ed.). Wolters Kluwer. https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816583/all/Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis [Internet]. In: Domino FJF, Baldor RAR, Golding JJ, Stephens MBM, editors. 5-Minute Clinical Consult. Wolters Kluwer; 2025. [cited 2024 December 10]. Available from: https://im.unboundmedicine.com/medicine/view/5-Minute-Clinical-Consult/816583/all/Rhabdomyolysis.
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