Statins and Muscle Injury

2013-08-26 09:32:43

Although diet and exercise are considered first line treatment for those with a risk of cardiovascular disease, statins continue to be recommended and prescribed as a primary form of treatment. Although they have been shown to be effective at reducing elevated cholesterol levels and are capable of reducing the risk of cardiovascular events in those with known cardiovascular disease, for others the potential benefit is questionable. Sadly, a large portion of prescriptions are written for those with no known cardiovascular disease solely based on laboratory numbers with a lack of regard of what the benefit to risk ratio is. Research paints an interesting picture to ponder. In those put on statins, over a 5 year period only 1.8% of them will avoid a major cardiovascular disease event.⁽¹⁾ Another study from 2010 looked at the results of 11 clinical trials and found that use of statin therapy in preventing cardiovascular disease in high risk groups did not show any benefit on all-cause mortality over placebo.⁽²⁾ The side effects on the other hand? A recent study looked at whether statin use was associated with developing musculoskeletal conditions. They looked at the medical records of 6967 statin uses and 6967 nonusers during the 2005 fiscal year and found a 19% increased likelihood of developing musculoskeletal disease, a 13% increased likelihood of experiencing an injury-related disease (such as dislocation, sprain, strain), and a 9% increased likelihood of experiencing musculoskeletal pain all in those receiving statin treatment.⁽³⁾ Additionally a risk of developing diabetes while on statins also exists especially for post-menopausal women.⁽⁴⁾ This cautions us to be more proactive in our own healthcare.