Colchicine-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient with diabetic nephropathy

Dong Kim,; Byoung Hyun Park,; Hye Jung Noh,; Hyun Jung Kim,; Soon Ah Park,; Chung Yong Yang,; Chung Gu Cho,

Korean J Med > Volume 77(2); 2009 > Article

Original Article

The Korean Journal of Medicine 2009;77(2):380-384.

Colchicine-induced rhabdomyolysis in a patient with diabetic nephropathy

Dong Kim, Byoung Hyun Park, Hye Jung Noh, Hyun Jung Kim, Soon Ah Park, Chung Yong Yang, Chung Gu Cho

당뇨병 콩팥병증 환자에서 colchicine 복용으로 발생한 횡문근 융해증 1예

김 동, 박병현, 노혜정, 김현정, 박순아, 양충용, 조정구

Abstract

Colchicine-induced rhabdomyolysis is rare. We report the case of a 55-year-old woman with diabetic nephropathy who developed acute weakness within 3 weeks after receiving colchicine for acute gouty arthritis. She was unable to stand up or walk because of profound motor weakness of her lower extremities. The elevated muscle enzymes, electromyography findings, and temporal correlation between colchicine withdrawal and improvement in the muscle enzyme levels led us to diagnose colchicine-induced rhabdomyolysis. Patients who receive colchicine, particularly in the presence of renal insufficiency and polypharmacy, should be monitored for the development of myopathy, including rhabdomyolysis.

Key Words: Colchicine; Diabetic nephropathy; Renal insufficiency; Rhabdomyolysis