What is the clinical evidence from this study?

Study design: Systematic Review. Population: Exertional rhabdomyolysis (n=65). Intervention: Strenuous physical exertion. Primary outcome: Acute kidney injury (AKI).

What question did this study set out to answer?

This review aims to characterize the biochemical severity and renal outcomes of exertional rhabdomyolysis across different athlete populations.

July 1, 2026CureusOpen Access

From the Field to the Emergency Room: A Systematic Case-Level Review of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Injury in Athletes

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Key result

Exertional rhabdomyolysis leads to AKI in ~75% of cases despite near-universal full recovery.

n=65

Why the study?

Although exertional rhabdomyolysis is increasingly recognized, published literature remains fragmented and largely descriptive, prompting systematic aggregation of case-level data across athlete populations and exertional contexts.

Population

65 patients with exertional rhabdomyolysis and reported renal outcomes from 46 articles

Design

Systematic case-level review

Authors

HAHajaj M AlHumaidan MAMohammed A AlrubayshImam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University AHAhmad A Hakeem

Discussion

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Implication

High AKI incidence warrants monitoring but not alarm in athletes; confirms excellent renal recovery and survival via Level 1 synthesis.

Key Points

This review aims to characterize the biochemical severity and renal outcomes of exertional rhabdomyolysis across different athlete populations.
Systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar for cases of exertional rhabdomyolysis with renal outcomes up to December 2025.
Extracted case-level data on demographics, CK and creatinine values, AKI definition, RRT requirement, and recovery status from 46 articles.
Included a total of 65 patients, with a median age of 24 years and predominantly male participants.
AKI occurred in 49 patients (75.4%), with RRT required in 14 patients (21.5%).
Median peak CK was 55,000 U/L, with myoglobinuria documented in 58 patients (89.2%).
95.4% of patients (n=62) achieved complete renal recovery, indicating favorable outcomes despite the occurrence of AKI.

Study Design

Type

Systematic Review (n=65)

Structured PICO

Population

65 predominantly male athletes and physically active individuals (median age 24) with exertional rhabdomyolysis, aggregated from published case reports to assess renal outcomes.

Outcome

Biochemical severity and renal outcomes (AKI, RRT requirement, myoglobinuria, and recovery status)

Exertional rhabdomyolysis in athletes frequently causes acute kidney injury, but survival and complete renal recovery are highly favorable.

Limitations

Substantial potential for publication and selection bias
Inconsistent reporting for clinically important variables such as ambient temperature, hydration status, and baseline renal function
Possibility of duplicate reporting from multi-patient institutional series
No formal risk-of-bias or quality assessment performed
Published literature remains fragmented and largely descriptive
Lack of standardized reporting of disease severity, AKI definitions, treatment strategies, and long-term renal outcomes

Cite This Study

AlHumaidan et al. (2026) conducted a systematic review in Exertional rhabdomyolysis (n=65). Strenuous physical exertion was evaluated on Acute kidney injury (AKI). Strenuous physical exertion leading to rhabdomyolysis resulted in acute kidney injury in 75.4% of published cases, with 21.5% requiring renal replacement therapy, though 95.4% fully recovered.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a44ad765cd2549c8bc430c3 https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.111662

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From the Field to the Emergency Room: A Systematic Case-Level Review of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Injury in Athletes

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

From the Field to the Emergency Room: A Systematic Case-Level Review of Exertional Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Kidney Injury in Athletes

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Study Design

Structured PICO

Limitations

Cite This Study

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