Abstract
3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors (statins) may produce mild to severe myopathy. However, it is unclear if sarcopenia (decreased muscle mass and functional capacity) is also accentuated by the drugs. In a cross-sectional design, functional capacity (timed up and go, quadriceps- and hand grip strength) and lean body mass were compared between 71 low-dose statin users (<20 mg/day) and 57 age- and BMI-matched control subjects (all apparently healthy elderly women aged 74.6±5.3 years). Possible confounding factors were assessed by questionnaires. A fasted blood sample was taken to measure serum creatine kinase levels to search for muscle damage. Statin users had higher functional capacity than controls (quadriceps strength 25.3±7.5 kg vs. 20.5±6.3 kg in controls, P<0.001; timed up and go 9.7±2.1 s vs. 10.8±2.6 s in controls, P=0.01). After adjusting for confounding factors, this effect was not created by statin intake but by a difference in socioeconomic status between the two groups. Hand grip strength (20.6±4.3 kg vs. 19.9±3.8 kg, P=0.47) and lean body mass (36.3±4.1 kg vs. 35.6±4.6 kg, P=0.19) did not differ between statin users and controls. Muscle mass and functional capacity were not affected by statin intake but by socioeconomic status in elderly women.
Download data is not yet available.