Clinical Characteristics, Risk Factors and Outcome of Rhabdomyolysis in 723 Inpatients and Outpatients: A Four-Year Retrospective Study

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the clinical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of rhabdomyolysis (RM) in both outpatient and inpatient settings to improve understanding and management of this condition. The study results lay the groundwork for developing targeted screening protocols and early intervention strategies to mitigate the risk of RM. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 723 RM patients, including 365 outpatients and 358 inpatients, over a 4-year observation period. Data on gender, age distribution, primary causes, risk factors, complications, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 30.0 software. Frequencies (n) and percentages (%) were used to describe categorical data, and the χ2 test was conducted using group comparisons. Continuous data were analyzed using the t-test, and multivariate logistic regression was employed to assess multiple influencing factors. Results: Among the 723 RM patients, 75.8% were male, with a median age of 26 years for outpatients and 49 years for inpatients. The primary causes of RM included infections (e.g., upper respiratory tract infections, sepsis), trauma, electrolyte disturbances (e.g., hypokalemia, hypocalcemia), and heat-related illnesses (e.g., heat stroke). Complications such as acute renal dysfunction (26.3% of inpatients) and abnormal liver function (44.1% of inpatients) were common. The mortality rate among inpatients was 2.51%, primarily due to trauma, myocardial infarction, and sepsis. Outpatient outcomes were generally favorable, with 91 cases requiring hospitalization and only one case progressing to uremia. Conclusion: RM predominantly affects males and younger individuals, with infections, trauma, and electrolyte imbalances being significant risk factors. Early diagnosis and management are critical to preventing complications, particularly acute renal dysfunction. Public health interventions targeting risk factors, such as heat exposure and infections, are essential to reduce the burden of RM. This study highlights the need for multidisciplinary care and standardized protocols to improve outcomes in RM patients.