How common are statin-related muscle symptoms? Perhaps not as common as many think, based on the results of a study from the Anglo-Scandinavian Cardiac Outcomes Trial. In a randomized, blinded trial, more than 10,000 patients were randomized to atorvastatin 10 mg per day or placebo for just over three years. Later, just under 10,000 patients were followed in a non-blinded, non-randomized study and assigned to atorvastatin 10 mg or no medication for about two years. In the blinded phase, when patients did not know if they were taking a statin, muscle-related events occurred at about the same rate in the treatment and placebo groups (HR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.88-1.21; P = 0.72). Erectile dysfunction also occurred at about the same rate in both groups, while sleep disturbance actually was lower in the atorvastatin group. The rate of cognitive impairment was very low in both groups. In the unblinded study, when patients knew they were taking a statin, muscle-related adverse events were significantly higher in the statin group at 1.26% vs. 1.00% per annum (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.10-1.79; P = 0.006). There was no difference in the rate of other side effects. The authors suggested that this study “should help counter the adverse effect on public health of exaggerated claims about statin-related side-effects.” (Lancet. Published online May 2, 2017. Available at: http://bit.ly/2pg3Vyp. Accessed May 9, 2017.)
How common are statin-related muscle symptoms?
You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
- Award-winning Medical Content
- Latest Advances & Development in Medicine
- Unbiased Content