Skip to main content
. 2014 Feb 24;3(4):303–312.

Table 1.

Causes for rhabdomyolysis (by mechanism).

  1. Increased energy demand:
    • 1.1 Exercise (especially strenuous exercise)
    • 1.2 Heat stroke
    • 1.3 Acute psychosis
    • 1.4 Seizures; Status epilepticus
    • 1.5 Status dystonicus
    • 1.6 Status asthmaticus
    • 1.7 Delirium tremens
  2. Decreased energy production
    • 2.1 Dystrophies
    • 2.2 Metabolic enzyme deficiencies
    • 2.3 Mitochondrial function disorders
    • 2.4 Hypokalemia
    • 2.5 Hypophosphatemia
  3. Direct muscle injury
    • 3.1 Crush injury (trauma)
    • 3.2 Electrical injury
    • 3.3 3rd degree burns
    • 3.4 Inflammatory myopathy
    • 3.5 Temperature extremes (hyper/hypothermia)
    • 3.6 Hyper/hyponatremia
  4. Decreased oxygen delivery
    • 4.1 Arterial thrombus; emboli
    • 4.2 Surgery; prolonged immobilization
    • 4.3 Trauma
    • 4.4 Shock
    • 4.5 Sickle cell trait/crisis
  5. Infections:
    • 5.1 Viral
    • 5.2 Bacterial
    • 5.3 Fungal
  6. Endocrine abnormalities:
    • 6.1 Diabetic keto-acidosis; non-ketotic hyperosmolar state
    • 6.2 Addison’s disease
    • 6.3 Hyperaldosteronism
    • 6.4 Hypo/hyperthyroidism
  7. Drugs & medications:
    • 7.1 Substance abuse (MDMA, Amphetamine, Heroin, Methadone, Cocaine, PCP, LSD)
    • 7.2 Alcohol; ethylene glycol
    • 7.3 Sedative/hypnotic drugs (Barbiturates, Benzodiazepines)
    • 7.4 Anesthetics (malignant hyperthermia)
    • 7.5 Statins; Fibrates
    • 7.6 Neuroleptics
    • 7.7 Anabolic/corticosteroids
  8. Toxins:
    • 8.1 Carbon mono-oxide (CO)
    • 8.2 Venom – snake; spider; bee; wasp
    • 8.3. Quail eating