Key result
Black race linked to higher serum CK vs White race, independent of lean body mass.
Why the study?
Serum creatine kinase levels vary by race and may not correlate with lean body mass, raising uncertainty about appropriate reference ranges for blacks.
Cross-Sectional (n=60)
p-value: p=<0.01
May warrant caution interpreting CK elevations in black patients; leaves open ethnicity-specific reference ranges pending larger validation.
In a group of 30 black and 30 white healthy workers, matched for age, sex and body weight, serum creatine kinase was significantly higher in black males than in white males (P less than 0.01). Seventeen blacks but only four whites had levels above the accepted upper limit of normal of 195 IU/l. There was no correlation with lean body mass. Elevation of serum creatine kinase need not signify disease in blacks, for whom a separate reference range should be established. Two cases are reported of physically healthy black men subjected to unnecessary investigation on the basis of persistently elevated serum creatine kinase.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Worrall et al. (1990) conducted a cross-sectional in Healthy (n=60). Black race vs. White race was evaluated on Serum creatine kinase levels (p=<0.01). Black race was associated with significantly higher serum creatine kinase levels compared to white race in healthy males (P<0.01), independent of lean body mass.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: