Elevated creatinine kinase levels amongst Dutch adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication

This study aims to explore the prevalence of creatinine kinase elevation amongst a sample of Dutch adolescents admitted for acute alcohol intoxication. The data on all admitted adolescents < 18 years old with acute alcohol intoxication between 2008 and 2021 were collected from a Dutch major district general hospital, Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, in Delft. Overall, 495 adolescents who were treated for symptoms of acute alcohol intoxication during this period were included in the study. When evaluating the blood samples of the included patients, elevated creatinine kinase levels were found in 60% of the cases, with a mean of 254 U/I (normal value ≤ 145 U/I). A confirmed diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis (increase in CK > fivefold the upper limit of normal) was present in 4.4% of cases. Moreover, using a linear regression this study found that a higher blood alcohol concentration was associated with higher creatinine kinase levels, when adjusted for positive drug screenings amongst the adolescents with acute alcohol intoxication (p = 0.027; β = 66.88; 95% CI 7.68 - 126.08).    Conclusions: This is the first study focusing on how acute alcohol intoxication affects adolescents' muscle tissue. The results could potentially help to prevent alcohol use within the sports world. It could also aid understanding of how acute alcohol intoxication influences the breakdown of adolescents' muscle tissue. What is Known: • Alcohol, alongside pharmaceutical agents and illicit drugs, is a significant cause of rhabdomyolysis (increase in creatinine kinase > fivefold the upper limit of normal). • Creatinine kinase elevation in alcohol intoxicated patients may be as a result of direct "muscular" toxicity" (myotoxicity) or from prolonged immobilization and ischemic compression induced by coma. What is New: • Our retrospective cohort study is a pioneer in addressing the effect of acute alcohol intoxication amongst adolescents (< 18 years) upon muscle tissue (creatinine kinase level) within a large population. When evaluating the blood samples of the included population, elevated creatinine kinase levels were found in 60% of the cases, with a mean of 254 U/I (normal value ≤ 145 U/I). • There is an association between alcohol intoxication and elevated creatinine kinase levels amongst adolescents. Future research is needed to further understand the pathophysiology and causality of this interaction.