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Muscle-Related Side Effects of Statins: Functional Impact, Mechanisms, and Potential Relief With Vitamin D Supplementation

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
HMG COA Reductase Inhibitor Adverse Reaction
Interventions
Drug: Placebo
Registration Number
NCT01493648
Lead Sponsor
CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval
Brief Summary

This proposal will explore muscle function (strength and endurance) in men and women suffering from statin-induced muscle symptoms. The mechanisms responsible for these muscle symptoms will be explored. Also, the investigators will assess the potential usefulness of vitamin D supplementation in a randomized control trial.

Detailed Description

Statins are a class of drugs that are widely prescribed to lower blood cholesterol levels. Although they have few side effects, many patients report muscle pain, cramps, and weakness when using these drugs. We know very little on the real impact of these muscle symptoms on patient quality of life, especially in relation to muscle strength and endurance.

Patients under statin therapy will stop medication for 2 months. Results from blood sample, muscle function and muscle biopsy (in some participants) will be compared with baseline. Participants will then take vitamin D supplementation or placebo for one month. Thereafter, statin will be reintroduced for two months while continuing vitamin D or placebo supplementation. At the end of that time, measures from blood sample, muscle function and muscle biopsy will be compared with other visits.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
78
Inclusion Criteria
  • statin therapy
  • healthy and sedentary or moderately physical active
Exclusion Criteria
  • Current treatment with other lipid-lowering drugs
  • Natural medicine affecting lipid metabolism
  • CK levels above the normal range
  • Clinical vitamin D deficiency
  • Impaired liver or kidney function
  • Untreated hypo- or hyperthyroidism
  • Treatment with other medications known to increase risk of myopathy
  • Existing infection requiring antibiotic therapy
  • Consumption of greater than 60 ml of grapefruit juice per day
  • Inherited muscle disorders or myopathy
  • Polymyositis or inflammatory myopathy
  • Use of corticosteroids
  • Comorbidities resulting in muscle or bone pain
  • History of elevated CK
  • Unexplained cramps
  • Known sickle cell trait
  • Cancer within the 5 years prior to study entry
  • Diabetes
  • Stroke, coronary artery or peripheral vascular disease
  • Physical disability or previous injury interfering with exercise testing
  • Pregnant or breastfeeding
  • Depression (in last 3 years) or treatment with antidepressants
  • Use of anti-psychotic drugs
  • Alcohol abuse

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
PlaceboPlacebo-
Vitamin DVitamin D-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in pain scoreChange from baseline at 2 months
Change in muscle function testingChange from baseline at 2 months

Strenght and endurance evaluation

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in muscle histologyChange from baseline at 5 months
Change in pain scoreChange from baseline at 5 months
Change in muscle function testingChange from baseline at 5 months

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec - CHUL

🇨🇦

Québec, Quebec, Canada

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