Objective:

To evaluate the impact of rhabdomyolysis on clinical outcomes of acute SARS CoV-2 infection.

Background:

Rhabdomyolysis has been reported as a complication of severe SARS CoV-2 infection.

Design/Methods:

We conducted a retrospective analysis of extracted EMR data from the EPIC Electronic Medical Record System. We identified 72,772 patients with acute COVID-19 infection with concomitant rhabdomyolysis (CWR) and 13,954,933 patients with acute COVID-19 infection and no rhabdomyolysis (CNR). A sample of non-COVID patients was used to compare the difference of rhabdomyolysis prevalence.

Results:

Rhabdomyolysis was more prevalent with concomitant COVID-19 than in the general population, 0.54% vs 0.16%, (P<0.05). CWR patients had significantly higher mortality rates (CWR/CNR: 13.9% vs 1.8%; p<0.05),higher rates of hospice discharges, (CWR/CNR: 4.9% vs 0.7%; p<0.05),higher SNF placement rates (CWR/CNR: 31.7% vs 3.2%; p<0.05), a higher mechanical ventilation requirements (CWR/CNR: 19.1% vs 1.7%; p<0.05), a greater BMI (CWR/CNR: 53.9% vs 43.2%; p<0.05), a longer hospital length of stay (CWR/CNR: 8.1±0.13 days vs 6.2±0.02 days; p<0.05), older age (CWR/CNR: 61±0.15 years vs 46±0.01 years; p<0.05), and a higher disability rate (CWR/CNR: 15.2% vs 2.7%; p<0.05). A significantly higher proportion of patients in CWR were male compared to CNR (CWR M/F: 64.3%/35.7% vs P2 M/F: 43.2%/56.8%; p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Concomitant rhabdomyolysis in acute COVID-19 significantly increases mortality and morbidity. Rhabdomyolysis in this cohort is associated with older age, greater BMI, and an increase in disability rate.