Myopathy in Status Asthmaticus: Relation to Neuromuscular Blockade and Corticosteroid Administration

Myopathy is a rare complication that arises during management of status asthmaticus that may be related to administration of corticosteroids and neuromuscular blocking agents. We present 4 patients with myopathy and a review of the 31 previously reported patients in the literature. All patients received corticosteroids, and 33 of the 35 patients received neuromuscular blocking agents. Muscle weakness was often diffuse and, in several patients, involved the muscles of respiration. Creatine kinase values ranged from normal to markedly elevated. Diagnosis was obtained by electromyogram and muscle biopsy in most patients. Resolution of the muscle weakness occurred over a period of days to months. Patients in whom myopathy developed required mechanical ventilation for longer periods than patients intubated for status asthmaticus without myopathy.