Analysis of 119 statin randomized controlled trials find that statins increase the risk of muscle problems

This study was published in Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety 2007 Feb;16(2):132-43

 

Study title and authors:

Systematic review and meta-analysis of clinically relevant adverse events from HMG CoA reductase inhibitor trials worldwide from 1982 to present.

McClure DL, Valuck RJ, Glanz M, Hokanson JE.

Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado, Clinical Research Unit, Denver, CO 80237-8066, USA. david.l.mcclure@kp.org

 

This study can be accessed at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17072896

The objective of the study was to determine the association of adverse events from a systematic review and meta-analysis of statin randomized controlled trials. The study included over 86,000 participants from 119 studies.

The study found:
(a) Statin users had a 59% increased risk of rhabdomyolysis (the breakdown of muscle fibers that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents into the bloodstream and often causes kidney damage) compared to nonusers.
(b) Statin users had a 156% increased risk of myositis (inflammation of the muscles) compared to nonusers.
(c) Statin users had a 9% increased risk of myalgia (muscle pain) compared to nonusers.

This analysis of 119 statin randomized controlled trials found that statins increased the risk of muscle problems.