By how much can total CK increase in cases of crush injuries and muscular dystrophy?

In cases of crush injuries and muscular dystrophy, total creatine kinase (CK) levels can significantly rise due to the extensive muscle damage that occurs. When muscle tissue is damaged, CK leakage into the bloodstream increases, leading to elevated serum levels.

The elevation of CK levels can vary greatly depending on the severity of the muscle injury. It has been documented that in severe muscle trauma, such as is seen with crush injuries, CK levels can increase substantially—commonly up to 50 times the normal reference range. This magnitude of elevation is notably associated with conditions that involve extensive muscle breakdown, such as rhabdomyolysis, muscular dystrophies, and other myopathies.

Understanding this context helps to clarify why the correct response indicates that CK can increase by as much as 50 times in these scenarios, as this figure aligns with observed clinical findings regarding the extent of muscle damage and the resultant biochemical alterations in the bloodstream.