Statins and idiopathic inflammatory myositis – more information from Australian research

The story about statins and muscle damage continues to evolve. Idiopathic inflammatory myositis sometimes associated with statin use. Statin-associated autoimmune myopathy is a distinct clinical entity associated with specific autoantibodies against hydroxymethylglutaryl–coenzyme A reductase, causing necrotizing myositis that does not resolve with cessation of statin therapy and requires treatment with immunosuppressive agents. South Australian researchers recently published a further examination this relationship, comparing histologically confirmed cases (n = 221) and population-based controls.221 cases of myopathy were identified (mean age of 62.2 years), with statin exposure at the time of diagnosis present 68 of 221 patients (30.8%) and 142 of 662 matched controls (21.5%) (p = 0.005) – an almost 2-fold increased likelihood of statin exposure in patients with the diagnosis compared with controls (adjusted odds ratio, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.23-2.60; P = .001). Continued vigilance is required…