Neuromuscular Symptoms and Elevated Creatine Kinase after Statin Withdrawal

Neuromuscular Disorder (N = 5) Mean age (range) -yr 53 (22-86) 67 (60-82) Male sex -no. (%) 34 (72) 5 (100) Neuromuscular symptoms -no. (%) Myalgia 47 (100) 3 (60) Weakness 0 2 (40) Creatine kinase level >1000 U/liter -no. (%) 9 (19) 3 (60) Mean interval between statin withdrawal and muscle biopsy -mo 6.8 5.5 Mean duration of statin therapy -mo 31 24 Findings on initial clinical examination -no. (%) Abnormal electromyogram 0 5 (100) Abnormal muscle biopsy 0 5 (100) Findings at 6-mo follow-up No. of patients 36 4 Myalgia -no. (%) 11 (31) Creatine kinase level >200 U/liter -no. (%) 6 (17)