Is Vitamin D Deficiency a Risk Factor for the Development of Statin-Induced Myalgia in Patients Receiving Statins?

Abstract

Objective: In recent years, discussions regarding the possibility of vitamin D deficiency playing a role in statin myopathy development have started. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not there is a significant difference with respect to vitamin D levels and objective muscle strength measures in males with or without statin-induced myalgia. Material and Methods: This study includes 17 male patients with statin-induced myalgia and 23 male patients without statin-induced myalgia; the latter being matched with the former. 25-OH vitamin D levels of all patients were recorded. Body fat rates of the patients were studied with bio-impedance analysis. Visual analog scale and McGill-Melzack pain questionnaire were applied to the patients with myalgia. Gripping strength and isometric and isokinetic measurements on the biceps and quadriceps muscles of all patients were performed. Results: Mean vitamin D levels were above the sufficiency level in both of the groups, and there was no significant difference between them. When the measurements with the hand dynamometer and the isometric and isokinetic muscular strength analyses for both groups were compared, there was no statistically significant difference between them. Conclusion: In this study, it is demonstrated that vitamin D deficiency may not be a risk factor for the development of statin-induced myalgia; furthermore, there is no statistical difference between the objective muscle strength measures of male patients with or without statininduced myalgia.