Symptoms of statin-induced adverse drug reactions on muscle on older patients

Abstract

Older patients are susceptible to Adverse Drug Reactions (ADR) resulting from age-related decline in body physiological conditions. This condition also has an impact on the emergence of degenerative diseases, which generally require supportive therapy in the form of statin drugs. However, this medication has the highest prevalence of ADR, often presented in the form of muscular symptoms. This study determined the Odds Ratio (OR) value of the muscle symptoms resulting from statin drug use observed in older patients compared to non-older patients. The influencing confounding factors were also evaluated. The study used a case-control design. The study was carried out from February to May 2020 and involved 36 older and 36 non-older patients. The selection was preceded by an interview, and the Statin-Associated Muscle Symptom Clinical Index (SAMS-CI) questionnaire was used to assess the muscle symptoms experienced. The results showed a statistically significant relationship between age and muscle symptoms in patients. The incidence of muscular ADR symptoms was higher in the older than in the non-older patients (OR = 18.74, p = 0.008). Therefore, the use of statin drugs in older patients needs regular monitoring to minimize the risk of muscular ADR symptoms.