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Creatinekinase in hyperlipoproteinemic patients treated with clofibrate
Artery
|January 1, 1980
Summary
Elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels in patients taking clofibrate, without symptoms, do not indicate muscle damage. This finding simplifies diagnosis and clarifies the prognosis of drug-induced enzyme elevations.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Medicine
Background:
- Since 1968, case reports have documented elevated serum creatine kinase (CK) levels in patients treated with clofibrate.
- Initial studies focused on diagnostic challenges, particularly differentiating drug-induced elevations from acute heart attacks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prognostic significance of isolated, asymptomatic serum CK elevations in patients treated with clofibrate.
- To clarify the relationship between drug-induced CK increases and the development of skeletal muscle damage.
Main Methods:
- A 5-year follow-up study was conducted on patients treated with clofibrate.
- Serum CK levels and clinical symptoms of muscle damage were monitored throughout the study period.
Main Results:
- Isolated elevations in serum CK levels, in the absence of clinical symptoms, were observed.
- These asymptomatic CK elevations did not correlate with the development of skeletal muscular damage or disease.
Conclusions:
- Asymptomatic, isolated serum CK elevations in clofibrate-treated patients do not predict skeletal muscle damage.
- The availability of rapid CK MB assays has resolved previous diagnostic difficulties related to acute heart attack differentiation.