Simvastatin-induced erythromelalgia: less is more

We describe a case of a woman with uncomplicated Type 2 diabetes mellitus, presenting with severe burning pains and intense redness of the legs, for which only cooling could provide relief. Although the description was classic of erythromelalgia, the lack of familiarity of the disorder caused considerable doctor's delay as well as the erroneous advice to start pain killers and amitriptyline. However, empirical discontinuation of simvastatin made all symptoms disappear. Erthyromelalgia is a rare but debilitating disease which is diagnosed by exclusion only. It usually occurs as a secondary feature to (hematologic) malignant disorders, autoimmune diseases or, infections or, most notoriously, to pharmacological agents. One of the latter might be simvastatin, and possibly all HMG CoA Reductase inhibitors.