Rust urine after intense hand drumming is caused by extracorpuscular hemolysis.

Background And Objectives: During Carnival, groups of > or =60 drummers go drumming with their hands and marching for periods of 2 to 4 h. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and type of urinary abnormalities after candombe drumming and to evaluate possible pathogenic mechanisms.

Design, Setting, Participants, & Measurements: For analysis of pathogenic mechanisms, a group of individuals were prospectively evaluated before and after candombe drumming.