J Natl Med Assoc
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This article reports the results of a retrospective study of 11 patients with rhabdomyolysis-induced acute renal failure. All patients had multiple risk factors for rhabdomyolysis, the most common of which were alcoholism, illicit drug abuse, compression, and trauma. Patients with combined alcohol/illicit drug abuse had more severe electrolyte imbalances than patients without alcohol/illicit drug abuse. ⋯ The serum creatine phosphokinase level was elevated in all of the patients, which is a good marker for rhabdomyolysis. Rhabdomyolysis is a relatively common disorder in municipal hospitals. Routine serum creatine phosphokinase levels should be checked on patients at risk, especially alcoholics, illicit drug abusers, and older patients.