title: The clinical significance of serial creatine phosphokinase estimations in acute ward admissions.
abstract: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of a number of physical factors on serial total creatine phosphokinase (CK) levels within the first few days of admission to an acute psychiatric ward. Patients (n = 17) who received parenteral injections within 48 hours of admission were compared with those (n = 30) who did not, looking at factors such as method of admission, alcohol use, presence of restraint and serial CK estimations. Those receiving injections had significantly raised CK levels over the first few days post-admission; these levels tended to normalise over 72 hours of admission. A small number of the patients who were given intramuscular injections demonstrated CK levels of over 1000 U/L. It is suggested that where CK levels are elevated, NMS should be excluded on clinical grounds. CK levels should return to normal over the next 72 hours (in the absence of NMS) if there are no further intramuscular injections.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Unit, Prince Henry Hospital, Little Bay, New South Wales.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Curtis
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Birkett
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kenney-Herbert
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000523:psychology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007527:Isoenzymes; D008297:Male; D008487:Medical History Taking; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009459:Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010343:Patient Admission; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012149:Restraint, Physical
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D007527:Isoenzymes; D003402:Creatine Kinase