Diagnostic approach and management strategy for patients with exertional rhabdomyolysis - Results from an international survey of healthcare professionals.
7 affiliations
- 1Copenhagen Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, University of Copenhagen, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- 2Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
- 3Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Department of Neurology, Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health (BIH), Berlin, Germany.
- 4Neurology Department, Raymond Poincaré Hospital, AP-HP, Nord-Est-île-de-France Neuromuscular Reference Center, Garches, France.
- 5Neuromuscular Center, Texas Health Presbyterian, Institute for Exercise and Environmental Medicine, Dallas, TX, USA.
- 6Division of Neuromuscular Medicine, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
- 7Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, Centre for Medical Research, University of Western Australia, Western Australia, Nedlands, Australia.
Abstract
BackgroundRhabdomyolysis is a complex and potentially life-threatening syndrome characterized by the rapid breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle. Despite its clinical significance, universally accepted diagnostic criteria and standardized management guidelines are lacking.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey about the current diagnostic approach, assessment of risk factors and severity, and management of follow-up of rhabdomyolysis was conducted among clinicians across Europe, Australia, and the USA.ResultsFifty-four respondents from 16 countries completed the survey. Results revealed considerable variability in hospital admission practices, and patient follow-up. Some agreement was found in the frequent use of genetic and neurophysiological testing in as diagnostic tools. The survey revealed no consensus on which CK-level would be considered cut-off levels for rhabdomyolysis.ConclusionsThe survey found little to no coherent approach to diagnosing, assessment of severity, nor follow-up of rhabdomyolysis among respondents who were primarily neurologists and pediatric neurologists. It highlights the need for international guidelines in the diagnostic process, treatment and follow-up of rhabdomyolysis as well as a universally agreed definition of rhabdomyolysis.
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BibTeX
@article{stemmerik2026diagnostic,
title = {{Diagnostic approach and management strategy for patients with exertional rhabdomyolysis - Results from an international survey of healthcare professionals.}},
author = {Mads Godtfeldt Stemmerik and Nick Kruijt and Felix Kleefeld and Pascal Laforet and Salman Bhai and Teerin Liewluck and Gianina Ravenscroft and John Vissing and Nicol C Voermans},
journal = {Journal of neuromuscular diseases},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1177/22143602261493649},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42950351},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Diagnostic approach and management strategy for patients with exertional rhabdomyolysis - Results from an international survey of healthcare professionals.
AU - Mads Godtfeldt Stemmerik
AU - Nick Kruijt
AU - Felix Kleefeld
AU - Pascal Laforet
AU - Salman Bhai
AU - Teerin Liewluck
AU - Gianina Ravenscroft
AU - John Vissing
AU - Nicol C Voermans
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - Journal of neuromuscular diseases
DO - 10.1177/22143602261493649
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42950351
AB - BackgroundRhabdomyolysis is a complex and potentially life-threatening syndrome characterized by the rapid breakdown of damaged skeletal muscle. Despite its clinical significance, universally accepted diagnostic criteria and standardized management guidelines are lacking.MethodsA cross-sectional online survey about the current diagnostic approach, assessment of risk factors and severity, and management of follow-up of rhabdomyolysis was conducted among clinicians across Europe, Australia, and the USA.ResultsFifty-four respondents from 16 countries completed the survey. Results revealed considerable variability in hospital admission practices, and patient follow-up. Some agreement was found in the frequent use of genetic and neurophysiological testing in as diagnostic tools. The survey revealed no consensus on which CK-level would be considered cut-off levels for rhabdomyolysis.ConclusionsThe survey found little to no coherent approach to diagnosing, assessment of severity, nor follow-up of rhabdomyolysis among respondents who were primarily neurologists and pediatric neurologists. It highlights the need for international guidelines in the diagnostic process, treatment and follow-up of rhabdomyolysis as well as a universally agreed definition of rhabdomyolysis.
SN - 2214-3599
SN - 2214-3602
ER -