Creatinekinase in hyperlipoproteinemic patients treated with clofibrate.

Elevations of serum CK levels in patients treated with clofibrate have been reported in many case reports since the primary description of the acute muscular syndrome in 1968. The main point of interest in the beginning of our study were difficulties in differential diagnosis of acute heart attacks in patients treated with clofibrate. Since the rapid CK MB assays have become available, this difficulty has been eliminated. No equivocal answer was given in single case reports with regard to the prognosis of drug-induced increases of this skeletal muscular enzyme. Our experience collected in a now 5 years lasting follow-up study shows that isolated CK-elevations without clinical symptoms do not coincide with the development of skeletal muscular damage or disease.