Should high creatine kinase discourage the initiation or continuance of statins for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia?

Statins in hereditary myopathies: to give or not to give

Hyperlipidemia is not uncommon in patients with hereditary myopathies who get older and also in several conditions in which it is frequently observed. Thus, using the common cholesterol reducing medications of the stains group could be considered. However, the side effects of these drugs include myalgia, myopathy and rhabdomyolysis typically associated with high serum creatine kinase (CK). Because high CK levels are very frequently found in hereditary myopathies, physicians are reluctant to use statins in such patients. Reviewing the literature about statin side effects in hereditary myopathies does not provide a clear evidence about the true risk of these drugs. This review critically describes the reported cases of statin side effects in several genetic myopathies and suggests some guidelines for conditions that are contra indicated for statin usage (particularly in mitochondrial disorders, metabolic myopathies, myotonic dystrophy type 2). Possible solutions to the dilemma of whether to use statins in hereditary myopathies are discussed (prescribing other cholesterol lowering agents and a carefully monitored treatment initiation of statins).

Statin Intolerance: a Review and Update

OBJECTIVE

To review evidence of existing literature on the management of statin intolerance.

METHODS

We searched for literature pertaining to statin intolerance and treatments in PubMed. We reviewed articles published between 2005 and 2022.

RESULTS

Statin-associated myalgia is the most common adverse effect of statin therapy and the most common reason for statin discontinuation. Risk factors for statin intolerance include unexplained muscle pain with other lipid-lowering therapy, unexplained cramps, history of elevated creatinine kinase levels, family history of muscle symptoms, and family history of muscle symptoms with lipid therapy. Vitamin D repletion and coenzyme Q supplementation may help alleviate the musculoskeletal effects of statins. Trials of different types of statins and different dosing regimens are recommended to improve tolerability. The use of statins in individuals who perform regular exercise requires closer attention to muscular symptoms and creatinine kinase levels, but it does not preclude the use of statins.

CONCLUSION

Management of the adverse effects of statin therapy and improving statin tolerability is key to achieving optimum cardiovascular benefits. Identifying statin-associated adverse effects and managing appropriately can reduce unnecessary statin discontinuation and subsequently provide longer cardiovascular protection.

Comparison of the effect of 40 and 80 mg/day doses of atorvastatin on changes in lipid profiles among acute coronary syndrome patients: A randomized clinical trial study

Background

Statins play a vital role in the management of high-risk patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two doses of 40 and 80 mg of atorvastatin on lipid profiles and inflammatory markers among patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Materials and Methods

This single-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on 60 patients with ACS referred to Heshmatiyeh Hospital, Sabzevar, Iran. Eligible subjects were randomly assigned to either 80 mg/day (atorvastatin, 80 mg/day) or 40 mg/day intervention (atorvastatin, 40 mg/day) groups. Serum lipid profiles (low-density lipoprotein [LDL], high-density lipoprotein [HDL], triglyceride [TG], and total cholesterol), an inflammatory marker (creatine phosphokinase [CPK]), and liver function biomarkers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) were assessed before starting treatment and 3 months later.

Results

According to the paired t-test, there was a significant difference before and after intervention in each group regarding mean LDL and HDL values (P < 0.05). The result of the ANCOVA test revealed that the LDL and CPK was substantially lower in the 80 mg/day group as compared to the 40 mg/day group after 3-month intervention (62.45 ± 16.78 mg for 80 mg/day vs. 73.63 ± 20.00 for 40 mg/day P = 0.040 and 84.85 ± 6.53 IU/L for 80 mg/day vs. 120.70 ± 6.41 IU/L for 40 mg/day P = 0.001, respectively). Although the mean of HDL, TG, and cholesterol in the 80 mg/day group was lower than that of the 40 mg/day group after implementing the intervention, these differences were not statistically significant (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Findings suggest that increasing the dose of atorvastatin decreases the mean serum levels of LDL and CPK but has no effect on the mean serum HDL levels and liver function biomarkers.

Statins and the neuromuscular system: a neurologist's perspective

Statins intolerance is mainly due to their side effects on the neuromuscular system (primarily muscle). It has become an important issue because of the major cardiovascular risk reduction of this class of drugs. However, the facts related to these side effects are sometimes under-recognized or controversial. A literature review of the recent developments in the field is given. The clinical definition of statin myopathy and its presentation are not suitable for the myology field. Management and prevention are not validated. More genetic risk factors need to be established. Neurologists should become more involved in statin intolerance evaluation and management.

Statin Intolerance Because of Myalgia, Myositis, Myopathy, or Myonecrosis Can in Most Cases be Safely Resolved by Vitamin D Supplementation

Background:

Low serum vitamin D can cause myalgia, myositis, myopathy, and myonecrosis. Statin-induced myalgia is a major and common cause of statin intolerance. Low serum vitamin D and statins, additively or synergistically, cause myalgia, myositis, myopathy, and/or myonecrosis. Statin-induced myalgia in vitamin D deficient patients can often be resolved by vitamin D supplementation, normalizing serum vitamin D levels.

Aims:

In 74 men and 72 women (age 59 ± 14 years) intolerant to ≥2 statins because of myalgia, myositis, myopathy, or myonecrosis and found to have low (<32 ng/mL) serum vitamin D, we prospectively assessed whether vitamin D supplementation (vitamin D2: 50,000-100,000 units/week) to normalize serum vitamin D would allow successful rechallenge therapy with statins.

Materials and Methods:

Follow-up evaluation on vitamin D supplementation was done on 134 patients at 6 months (median 5.3), 103 patients at 12 months (median 12.2), and 82 patients at 24 months (median 24).

Results:

Median entry serum vitamin D (22 ng/mL, 23 ng/mL, and 23 ng/mL) rose at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months follow-up to 53 ng/mL, 53 ng/mL, and 55 ng/mL, respectively, (P < .0001 for all) on vitamin D therapy (50,000-100,000 units/week). On vitamin D supplementation, serum vitamin D normalized at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months follow-up in 90%, 86%, and 91% of the patients, respectively. On rechallenge with statins while on vitamin D supplementation, median low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC) fell from the study entry (167 mg/dL, 164 mg/dL, and 158 mg/dL) to 90 mg/dL, 91 mg/dL, and 84 mg/dL, respectively, (P < .0001 for all). On follow-up at median 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months on statins and vitamin D, 88%, 91%, and 95% of the previously statin-intolerant patients, respectively, were free of myalgia, myositis, myopathy, and/or myonecrosis.

Conclusions:

Statin intolerance because of myalgia, myositis, myopathy, or myonecrosis associated with low serum vitamin D can be safely resolved by vitamin D supplementation (50,000-100,000 units /week) in most cases (88-95%).

Distinguishing hazards and harms, adverse drug effects and adverse drug reactions : implications for drug development, clinical trials, pharmacovigilance, biomarkers, and monitoring

The terms 'adverse drug effects' and 'adverse drug reactions' are commonly used interchangeably, but they have different implications. Adverse drug reactions arise when a compound (e.g. a drug or metabolite, a contaminant or adulterant) is distributed in the same place as a body tissue (e.g. a receptor, enzyme, or ion channel), and the encounter results in an adverse effect (a physiological or pathological change), which results in a clinically appreciable adverse reaction. Both the adverse effect and the adverse reaction have manifestations by which they can be recognized: adverse effects are usually detected by laboratory tests (e.g. biochemical, haematological, immunological, radiological, pathological) or by clinical investigations (e.g. endoscopy, cardiac catheterization), and adverse reactions by their clinical manifestations (symptoms and/or signs). This distinction suggests five scenarios: (i) adverse reactions can result directly from adverse effects; (ii) adverse effects may not lead to appreciable adverse reactions; (iii) adverse reactions can occur without preceding adverse effects; (iv) adverse effects and reactions may be dissociated; and (v) adverse effects and reactions can together constitute syndromes. Defining an adverse drug reaction as "an appreciably harmful or unpleasant reaction, resulting from an intervention related to the use of a medicinal product" suggests a definition of an adverse drug effect: "a potentially harmful effect resulting from an intervention related to the use of a medicinal product, which constitutes a hazard and may or may not be associated with a clinically appreciable adverse reaction and/or an abnormal laboratory test or clinical investigation, as a marker of an adverse reaction."

[Elevated plasma creatine kinase activity - does it always indicate muscle disease?]

Despite advanced diagnostic procedures in muscle disorders, creatine kinase (CK) activity is still one of the parameters most often investigated in serum. It is used mainly in neuromyology, and helps to differentiate between myogenic and neurogenic processes. Furthermore, it is applied to monitor the course of the disease and treatment results. Occasionally, marked elevated CK activity requires detailed diagnostic work-up, including electrophysiological, histopathological and genetic studies. In some cases, it enables the final diagnosis to be established. However, there is still a group of patients with so-called idiopathic hyper-CKemia and with no evidence of neuromuscular disorder. As little is known about potentially asymptomatic hyper-CK-emia, these patients should be carefully monitored.

Statin induced myotoxicity

Statins are an effective treatment for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and used extensively worldwide. However, myotoxicity induced by statins is a common adverse event and a major barrier to maximising cardiovascular risk reduction. The clinical spectrum of statin induced myotoxicity includes asymptomatic rise in creatine kinase concentration, myalgia, myositis and rhabdomyolysis. In certain cases, the cessation of statin therapy does not result in the resolution of muscular symptoms or the normalization of creatine kinase, raising the possibility of necrotizing autoimmune myopathy. There is increasing understanding and recognition of the pathophysiology and risk factors of statin induced myotoxicity. Careful history and physical examination in conjunction with selected investigations such as creatine kinase measurement, electromyography and muscle biopsy in appropriate clinical scenario help diagnose the condition. The management of statin induced myotoxicity involves statin cessation, the use of alternative lipid lowering agents or treatment regimes, and in the case of necrotizing autoimmune myopathy, immunosuppression.

Vitamin D deficiency, myositis-myalgia, and reversible statin intolerance

OBJECTIVE

In 150 hypercholesterolemic patients, unable to tolerate ≥1 statin because of myositis-myalgia, selected by low (<32 ng/ml) serum 25 (OH) vitamin D, we prospectively assessed whether vitamin D supplementation with resolution of vitamin D deficiency would result in statin tolerance, free of myositis-myalgia.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied 74 men, 76 women, median age 60, 131 white, 17 black and 2 other. On no statins, 50,000 units of vitamin D was given twice a week for 3 weeks, and then continued once a week. After 3 weeks on vitamin D, statins were restarted. Patients were re-assessed on statins and vitamin D every 3 to 4 months, with serial measures of serum 25 (OH) vitamin D, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), LDL cholesterol (LDLC) and assessment of myositis-myalgia.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Percentage of patients myalgia-free on vitamin D plus reinstituted statins, serum 25 (OH) vitamin D, CPK, and LDLC on reinstituted statins and concurrent vitamin D supplementation.

RESULTS

On vitamin D supplementation plus re-instituted statins for a median of 8.1 months, 131 of the 150 patients (87%) were free of myositis-myalgia and tolerated the statins well. Serum 25 (OH) vitamin D increased from median 21 to 40 ng/ml (p < 0.001), and normalized (≥32 ng/ml) in 117 (78%) of 150 previously vitamin D deficient, statin-intolerant patients. Median LDLC decreased from 146 mg/dl to 95 mg/dl, p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

Symptomatic myositis-myalgia in hypercholesterolemic statin-treated patients with concurrent serum 25 (OH) vitamin D deficiency may reflect a reversible interaction between vitamin D deficiency and statins on skeletal muscle causing myalgia.

Statin myopathy: a lipid clinic experience on the tolerability of statin rechallenge

INTRODUCTION

Statin myopathy is a generally encountered side effect of statin usage. Both muscle symptoms and a raised serum creatine kinase (CK) are used in case definition, but these are common manifestations of other conditions, which may not be statin related. Statin rechallenge assuming no contraindication in selected cases is an option before considering a different class of lipid-lowering agent.

AIMS

We aim to characterize retrospectively the patients referred to our Lipid Clinic with a diagnosis of statin myopathy. The tolerability of different statins was assessed to determine a strategy for rechallenging statins in such patients in the future.

RESULTS

Patients with statin myopathy constitute 10.2% of our Lipid Clinic workload. They are predominantly female (62.0%), Caucasian (63.9%), with a mean age of 58.3 years and mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.3 kg/m(2). The serum CK and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) were statistically higher compared to patients with statin intolerances with no muscular component or CK elevations. Secondary causes of statin myopathy were implicated in 2.7% of cases. Following statin myopathy to simvastatin we found no statistical difference between the tolerability rates between atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, pravastatin, and fluvastatin. Fibrates, cholestyramine, and ezetimibe were statistically better tolerated in these patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Statin rechallenge is a real treatment option in patients with statin myopathy. Detailed history and examination is required to exclude muscle diseases unrelated to statin usage. In patients developing statin myopathy on simvastatin, we did not find any statistical difference between subsequent tolerability rates to rosuvastatin, pravastatin, and fluvastatin.

Drug-related myopathies of which the clinician should be aware

Many drugs used for therapeutic interventions can cause unanticipated toxicity in muscle tissue, often leading to considerable morbidity. A drug-induced, or toxic, myopathy is defined as the acute or subacute manifestation of myopathic symptoms such as muscle weakness, myalgia, creatine kinase elevation, or myoglobinuria that can occur in patients without muscle disease when they are exposed to certain drugs. A brief review of agents with a known association with myotoxicity and the proposed mechanisms linked to that toxicity is outlined; however, the purpose of this review is to highlight recent discoveries and advances in the field of toxic myopathies that have practical implications for practicing physicians. Because many drug-related myopathies are potentially reversible at early stages, it is important for clinicians to recognize toxic myopathies early in their course to determine when to discontinue therapy and potentially prevent irreversible muscle damage.