Effect of Atorvastatin in the Occurrence of Myotoxicity Among Iraqi Patients Attending Imam Hussain Medical City in Kerbala Province

Abstract

HMG-co A reductase inhibitor (statins) are effective drugs in cholesterol lowering with clinically significant beneficial effects when used for cardiovascular disease prevention, the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Myotoxicity associated with statin therapy are the most common adverse effect. The aim of the study is to investigate the prevalence of myotoxicity in Iraqi patients who are visiting Imam Hussain Medical City in Kerbala province and are taking atorvastatin 40 mg medication. Cross sectional study with a total of 150 participants, both male and female, ranging in age from 28 to 65 years old and receiving daily oral doses of 40 mg of atorvastatin as monotherapy for hyperlipidemia for at least one month were involved in the study. The data was collected from participants as well as from medical record and the prevalence of myotoxicity was determined by the symptoms of the participants as well as from biochemical analysis of serum creatine kinas level. The data was analyzed by using SPSS version 24. The results showed that the total prevalence of statin-related myotoxicity was 44% and only 31.3% of them reported muscular discomfort with and without creatine kinase elevation, whereas only 12.7% reported creatine kinase elevation without muscle pain. This study conclude that males are at a greater risk of developing statin-related myotoxicity (p<0.05) than females are, while as no significant association was found between old age, duration of treatment, smoking and body mass index, and statin related myotoxicity.