Creatine kinase revisited.

Creatine kinase (CK) is the single most important biochemical test in the evaluation of patients with myopathies. In health, serum CK concentration is higher in men, blacks, muscular individuals, and athletes. Idiopathic hyperCKemia is an entity restricted to asymptomatic patients with a negative family history for a neuromuscular disease acid normal neurological, electrodiagnostic. and histologic examinations. Serum CK concentration in myopathy correlates with seventy of illness, course of disease, available muscle mass, and myofiber necrosis. CK may be elevated in neurogenic disorders, particularly in Kennedy's disease and type III spinal muscular atrophy.