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Abstract
Statins are widely prescribed for both the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases. However, muscle-related side effects, including weakness, pain and myopathy, are common side effects of statins, reported in up to 5% of users. Here, we present the case of a rare but severe complication of statin use, statin-induced necrotising myositis, which manifested as severe muscle weakness, heart failure and significant morbidity. There are no standardised treatment guidelines for statin-induced myositis. Here, the patient was managed with intravenous immunoglobulin and other immunosuppressants, leading to a favourable outcome when combined with a multidisciplinary approach with physiotherapy, occupational therapy and long-term rehabilitation. Although the patient did not recover full muscle power, he manages at home with the support of walking aids and family.
- Heart failure
- Musculoskeletal and joint disorders
- Immunology
- Muscle disease
- Drugs: musculoskeletal and joint diseases
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Footnotes
Contributors MSBJ was responsible for drafting the text, sourcing and editing clinical images, investigation results, drawing original diagrams and algorithms and critical revision for important intellectual content. BW gave final approval of the manuscript. BW is the guarantor for the article. AI was used to improve grammar and sentence structure.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.
Case reports provide a valuable learning resource for the scientific community and can indicate areas of interest for future research. They should not be used in isolation to guide treatment choices or public health policy.
Competing interests None declared.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.