Incidence and clinical correlates of increased serum creatine kinase levels in persons with spinal cord injury.
BACKGROUND
Elevated plasma levels of creatine kinase (CPK) are found in various neuromuscular conditions as a result of muscle damage and necrosis. Elevated CPK has also been described in elite wheelchair athletes and in able-bodied individuals after strenuous exercise.


METHODS
The incidence of elevated CPK in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) has not been well established. We reviewed laboratory data from 581 individuals with chronic SCI.


RESULTS
Most individuals with SCI (73.3%) had CPK values within 95% confidence intervals for able-bodied individuals. The highest levels were seen in African Americans (21% had CPK values > 95 confidence intervals for able-bodied individuals). Significant associations between CPK and the following independent variables were identified: impairment group, gender, duration of injury, body mass index, and ethnic group. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant correlations between CPK and oxygen consumption (beta .37, P < .01) in 32 individuals who performed the exercise test.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings are important for clinicians evaluating symptoms of fatigue and myopathy in individuals with SCI.
Szlachcic
Yaga
Y
Departments of Medicine, Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center, Downey, California 90242, USA.
Adkins
Rodney H
RH
Waters
Robert L
RL
Govindarajan
Sugantha
S
Wang
Jiangnan
J
Yee
Florence
F
Greenwood
John
J
D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption / Q000502:physiology; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011782:Quadriplegia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology
D003402:Creatine Kinase