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Improvement in muscle function after 2 months of statin withdrawal is not influenced by treatment intensity in patients with statin-associated muscle symptoms
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  • Paul Peyrel,
  • Pascale Mauriège,
  • Jérôme Frenette,
  • Nathalie Laflamme,
  • Karine Greffard,
  • Sébastien Dufresne,
  • Claire Huth,
  • Jean Bergeron,
  • Denis Joanisse
Paul Peyrel
Université Laval

Corresponding Author:paul.peyrel.1@ulaval.ca

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Pascale Mauriège
Université Laval
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Jérôme Frenette
CRCHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center
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Nathalie Laflamme
CRCHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center
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Karine Greffard
CRCHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center
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Sébastien Dufresne
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi
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Claire Huth
Université Laval
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Jean Bergeron
CRCHU de Québec – Université Laval Research Center
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Denis Joanisse
Université Laval
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Abstract

Statin prescription intensity, defined by statin type and dose required to achieve a targeted decrease in plasma low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), has been involved in statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS) development. This study aimed to assess whether muscle function improved differentially according to treatment intensity after two months of statin withdrawal in patients self-reporting SAMS. Patients (53.0±8.4 years [Mean±SD]) undergoing primary cardiovascular prevention were divided in two groups: low to moderate (n=49, targeted plasma LDL-C reduction <50%) and high (n=12, ≥50%). Strength, endurance, and power in extension and flexion of the dominant leg, and handgrip strength were measured using dynamometers. SAMS intensity was assessed using a 0-10 visual analog scale. After withdrawal, repeated-measures analyses showed improvements for 7/8 performance variables (+7.2 to +13.3%, all p<0.05), concomitant with a decrease in SAMS intensity (5.09 to 1.85, p<0.01), with no between-group difference. The improvement of muscle function following withdrawal was not differentiated according to treatment intensity.