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Reminder of important clinical lesson
CASE REPORT
Cluster of exertional rhabdomyolysis in three young women
  1. Fiona Mitchell1,
  2. Hazel J Henderson2,
  3. Faith Gardner3
  1. 1Tanyard and Muirkirk Medical Group, East Ayrshire, UK
  2. 2Department of Public Health, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Ayr, UK
  3. 3Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, Ayr, UK
  1. Correspondence to Hazel J Henderson, hazel.henderson2{at}aapct.scot.nhs.uk

Summary

Three young women, aged 18–24 years, presented to general practice with signs and symptoms of exertional rhabdomyolysis in 2016. All attended the same gym and had undertaken an intensive physical workout. Presenting symptoms were severe muscle pain and swelling, significantly reduced range of motion in affected muscles and, in two cases, dark-coloured urine. One case had presented to the out-of-hours service 4 months previously with similar symptoms but rhabdomyolysis was not considered, although retrospective history taking suggests that was the likely diagnosis. All three women were admitted to hospital, treated with intravenous fluids and discharged between 1 and 6 days later. All made a full recovery with no renal sequelae. The cases were questioned about potential risk factors, and the only commonality was unaccustomed strenuous exercise.

  • general practice / family medicine
  • public health
  • sports and exercise medicine

https://doi.org/10.1136/bcr-2017-223022

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors HJH made a substantial contribution to the conception and design of this article, and to the rapid literature review; coauthored the article, making a substantial contribution to writing and revising the article; had final approval of the version to be published; and is accountable for all aspects of the work, in ensuring questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. FM made a substantial contribution to the conception and design of this article; gained written consent from patients; coauthored the article, making a substantial contribution to writing and revising the article; had final approval of the version to be published, along with the coauthors; and shares accountability for all aspects of the work, in ensuring questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved. FG made a significant contribution to the conception and design of this article; coauthored the article, making a significant contribution to writing and revising the article; had final approval of the version to be published, along with the coauthors; and shares accountability for all aspects of the work, in ensuring questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work are appropriately investigated and resolved.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent Obtained.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.