Increased creatinine kinase and rhabdomyolysis in anorexia nervosa.
OBJECTIVE
A male adolescent with an anorexia nervosa-restricting type reported about his habit to carry out severe exercises to hold his weight. Seven weeks after admission to hospital, laboratory findings showed an extremely high level of serum creatinine kinase (CK) (>20,000 U/L) without clinical signs for rhabdomyolysis or renal depression.


METHODS
Clinical observation and routine laboratory controls in the patient, who participated in our special program for patients with eating disorder.


RESULTS
To minimize the risk for renal failure, a treatment with bicarbonate for volume repletion, forced diuresis and urinary alkalinisation over 24 hr were initiated. After 12 hr, CK decreased to almost 50% and it normalized then within 10 days.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first reported case of anorexia nervosa with this extremely high level of serum CK, induced by excessive physical activity.
Psychiatrische Privatklinik Sanatorium Kilchberg, Alte Landstrasse 70-84, CH-8802 Kilchberg, Switzerland. a.walder@sanatorium-kilchberg.ch
Alice
A
Walder
Pierre
P
Baumann
D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003402:Creatine Kinase / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000097:blood*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult
D003402:Creatine Kinase