[Exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis - a new trend?]

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Clinical Nephrology
• Public Health

Background:

• Exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis is a condition involving muscle breakdown due to strenuous physical activity.
• Recent years have seen a potential rise in cases, prompting investigation into contributing factors and healthcare facility responses.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if there has been an increase in hospital admissions for exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis at Stavanger University Hospital (SUS).
• To analyze patient data and identify trends in diagnosis and treatment over a defined period.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review was conducted on patients diagnosed with exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis.
• Data included patients discharged between January 2010 and March 2015 with creatine kinase (CK) levels exceeding ten times the upper reference limit.

Main Results:

• 33 patients (21 women, 12 men; median age 28) were included.
• A significant increase in admissions was observed, with 25 cases in 2014-2015 compared to 8 in 2010-2013.
• One patient experienced kidney failure requiring dialysis; treatment variability did not appear to impact complication rates.

Conclusions:

• The incidence of exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis at SUS rose notably from autumn 2014.
• This increase correlated with heightened media coverage and emerging fitness trends.
• Standardizing treatment protocols for exercise-induced rhabdomyolysis is recommended, as current guidelines may not fully address exercise-related triggers.