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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