Simvastatin-induzierte Dermatomyositis

Abstract

Dermatomyositis is a rare inflammatory autoimmune disease. The association between a lipid-lowering drug like pravastatin and the development of a musculocutaneous syndrome has been reported in single case reports only. We present the first report of a simvastatin induced dermatomyositis in a 71-year-old woman with positive Mi-2-Antibodies to point out this rare side effect of the increasingly prescribed statins. In future simvastatin should be considered as a possible trigger of dermatomyositis.

Simvastatin-induced dermatomyositis in a 50-year-old man

“…DM can be considered as a severe adverse reaction to statins although a distinct casual link cannot be definitely established. In contrast to other toxic effects, drug-induced autoimmune responses may persist despite cessation of the responsible compound, and immunosuppressive therapy is often required 7–11. Our patient was treated with prednisone and chloroquine.…”

“…There have been five previously reported cases of DM syndrome in patients receiving this type of cholesterol-lowering agents (simvastatin) 7–11. Three of the reported cases included both skin and muscle involvement.…”

“…The association between a lipid-lowering drug like statins and the development of a musculocutaneous syndrome has been previously reported 5–11…”

Simvastatin-induced amyopathic dermatomyositis

“…Dermatomyositis manifested between 2 months and up to 5·5 years after initiation of statin therapy. Remarkably, disease occurred after intake of first‐generation (simvastatin, lovastatin and pravastatin) as well as of second‐generation HMG‐CoA reductase inhibitors (atorvastatin and fluvastatin) 3–7 . ANA were determined in seven of the 10 cases, and were positive in five cases.…”

Polymyositis, Dermatomyositis, and Statins: A Review

“…In this context, some cases of association of statins with polymyositis [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] and with dermatomyositis [10][11][12]15,[17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33][34][35] have been described.…”