title: Rhabdomyolysis due to severe hypokaliemia in a Crohn's disease patient after budesonide treatment.
abstract: Patients with Crohn's disease may experience several non-digestive complications, including muscle disorders. Rabdomyolysis has rarely been reported in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, however a number of factors may cause muscular damage in this setting. We report the case of a young woman with Crohn's disease who developed a severe, symptomatic skeletal muscle damage associated with severe hypokaliemia. Reversal of the potassium levels to normal ranges led to clinical resolution. The possible causes that might have lead to hypokalemia development and subsequent rhabdomyolysis are discussed with special emphasis for the potential causative role of medical treatment, especially budesonide for which similar side effects have been previously reported. Physicians should be aware that hypokalemia is possible in the setting of Crohn's disease and muscle damage can present as a complication.
authors.affiliation: Digestive and Liver Disease Unit, II Medical School, S. Andrea Hospital, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mangone
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Spagnolo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Capurso
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Marignani
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Panzuto
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Angeletti
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ruggeri
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Menè
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Delle Fave
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D019819:Budesonide / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D019819:Budesonide; D011189:Potassium Chloride