Prevalence and associated factors with rhabdomyolysis

Abstract

Introduction: Rhabdomyolysis (RB) is a frequent syndrome defined as skeletal muscle injury
whereby intramuscular molecules, such as myoglobin and creatine phosphokinase, are released into the bloodstream. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of RB and associated factors to this outcome in in-hospital patients. Methods: This is an observational study - cross-sectional, retrospective, with a descriptive and analytical approach. The sample was composed of all in-hospital patients from a Brazilian public hospital that presented serum creatine- phosphokinase measures recorded in medical records in the period from April 2020 to september 2021. Descriptive analysis was carried out with frequencies (absolute and relative) and means±standard deviation. The Chi-square test was used to infer the association to RB, and the variables presenting p-value ≤ 0.2 were included in a multivariate logistic regression technique applied to investigate the interaction among the selected independent variables and the RB. Results: Among 388 patients included in the present study, the prevalence of RB was 3.89% and the mortality rate was 39.43%. The main cause of hospitalization was circulatory system-related diseases. The frequency of RB was higher in males and in younger adults. The variables sex, age group, presence of comorbidities, trauma as the hospitalization cause, and history of recent exhaustive physical effort were significantly associated with RB. Conclusion: Our data share light on the profile of hospitalized patients prone to develop RB, a relevant clinical condition that could be unrecognized in many mild cases, but also lead to acute signals of renal failure. Additionally, our data brings a better understanding regarding mortality associated with RB, requiring greater attention from health professionals and managers.