Is Statin Use Associated With New Joint‐Related Symptoms, Physical Function, and Quality of Life? Results From Two Population‐Based Cohorts of Women

Abstract

Objective. Previous studies have suggested that statins may prevent development of osteoarthritis and have antiinflammatory effects. Our aim was to examine the associations between statin use and patient-reported joint symptoms in 2 large cohorts of middle-aged and older women.

Association between statin use and physical function among community‐dwelling older Japanese adults

“…29 The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and the complaint of exhaustion were greater in statin users than in non-users, and those might be the risk factors of physical function decline. 23 If a patient complains of muscle symptoms, statin therapy might be discontinued, therefore, community-dwelling older statin users in the present study might have few complaints of SAMS. 21 It was considered that statin users in the present study had higher risks of SAMS than in the previous study.…”

“…Furthermore, compared with another study, which reported physical function deterioration, statin users in the present study were slightly younger than the older group women were, had lower BMI, higher prevalence of diseases and seemed to have higher risks of SAMS. 23 If a patient complains of muscle symptoms, statin therapy might be discontinued, therefore, community-dwelling older statin users in the present study might have few complaints of SAMS. However, based on the result of the univariate analyses in this study, physical function appeared to be lower in statin users than non-users.…”

“…In clinical intervention studies, the effect of statins on physical function was not remarkable. 23 The mixed results might have reflected the differences in the risk factors for SAMS among the participants in the study population. 13 However, the influence of the administration of statin on physical function varied in community studies.…”

“…Indeed, there are reports that the administration of statin increased the risk of falling and age-related decline in leg muscle strength, 21 worsened balance functions, 22 and was associated with the deterioration of physical function and poor self-rated health. 23 The mixed results might have reflected the differences in the risk factors for SAMS among the participants in the study population. The risk factors for SAMS include advanced age, female sex, low body mass index (BMI), Asian descent, high-dose statin therapy and polypharmacy.…”

Potential mechanisms and applications of statins on osteogenesis: Current modalities, conflicts and future directions

“…In a randomized controlled trial study on 3022 post-menopausal women, oral administration of statins was neither capable to increase BMD nor prevent bone fractures [117]. Moreover, systemic administration of statins is associated with systemic side effects [45][46][47][48][49][50]. Local delivery of statins may be the alternative option which increases the bioavailability of the drugs and reduces the dose and dosage required for bone healing and the need for repeated administrations [6,118,119].…”