Discontinuation of statin therapy due to muscular side effects: a survey in real life

To assess the burden of statin related muscular symptom in real life.

We conducted a wide survey on 10,409 French subjects. Among these, 2850 (27%) had hypercholesterolemia and 1074 were treated with statins. Muscular symptoms were reported by 104 (10%) statin treated patients and led to discontinuation in 30% of the symptomatic patients. The main prescribed statins were low doses rosuvastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin. Pains were the most commonly described symptoms (87%) but many patients also reported stiffness (62%), cramps (67%), weakness or a loss of strength during exertion (55%). Pain was localized in 70% but mostly described as affecting several muscular groups. Approximately 38% of patients reported that their symptoms prevented even moderate exertion during everyday activities, while 42% of patients suffered major disruption to their everyday life.

Muscular symptoms associated with average dosage statin therapy are more frequent than in clinical trials and have a greater impact on patients' life than usually thought.