Background and Aim: Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical and biochemical syndrome that results from acute poisonings. The present study aimed to investigate clinical and biochemical characteristics of rhabdomyolysis in patients with severe acute poisonings.

  Materials and Methods: Out of 450 patients with severe acute poisonings who admitted in the Toxicology Intensive Care Unit of Loghman Hakim Hospital in Tehran between April and September 2006, 165 subjects with serum creatine kinase at least five fold of normal range (≤975 IU/L) after disproving any other causes, were enrolled in this sectional study. Poisoning diagnosis was based on the history of toxins usage and clinical findings. The toxins usages were approved by the appropriate toxicological tests. Demographic data, clinical findings and laboratory studies were recorded for all patients. The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS software (version 11.5) at the significant level of P<0.05.

  Results: Frequency of rhabdomyolysis in the poisoned patients was 36.6%. The most common intoxications inducing rhabdomyolysis were opium (28%), tricyclic antidepressant drugs (14%) and benzodiazepines (14%). Acute renal failure was diagnosed in 23 (15%) patients. There was a linear correlation between serum creatine kinase and serum creatinine (P<0.05).

  Conclusion: Patients with severe acute poisoning are at risk of rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure is its ‏ main coincident complication.