Myopathy in older people receiving statin therapy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the risk of myopathy in older people receiving statin therapy.

Methods: Eligible studies were identified searching Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane and PSYCHINFO databases (1987 to July 2014). The selection criteria comprised randomized controlled studies that compared the effects of statin monotherapy and placebo on muscle adverse events in the older adult (65+ years). Data were extracted and assessed for validity by the authors. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to calculate binary outcomes. Evidence from included studies were pooled in a meta-analysis using Revman 5.3.

Results: The trials assessed in the systematic review showed little or no evidence of a difference in risks between treatment and placebo groups, with myalgia [odds ratio (OR) 1.03, 95% CI 0.90, 1.17; I(2) = 0%; P = 0.66] and combined muscle adverse events (OR 1.03, 95% CI 0.91, 1.18; I(2) = 0%; P = 0.61) (myopathy). No evidence was found for an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis (OR 2.93, 95% CI 0.30, 28.18; I(2) = 0%; P = 0.35) in the seven trials that reported this. No trials reported mortality due to a muscle-related event. Discontinuations due to an adverse effect were reduced in the treatment group compared with placebo (OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.50, 1.09; I(2) = 0%; P = 0.13).

Conclusion: The results obtained from the present review suggest that statins are relatively safe, even in older people. There was no evidence to suggest an increased risk of myopathy in older adults receiving statin therapy. There is slightly increased seen with rhabdomyolysis when compared with the general population, although the event is relatively rare. Statins should be prescribed to elderly people who need it, and not withheld, as its myopathy safety profile is tolerable.