LAUSR

Dear Editor, Since their introduction in the 1990s, statins have become one of the most commonly prescribed medications worldwide. By specifically inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR), a key enzyme in the cholesterol synthesis pathway, they lower serum cholesterol, improving a number of cardiovascular endpoints such as myocardial infarction, stroke and overall cardiovascular mortality. While statins are generally well tolerated, muscle-related side effects are commonly reported. No internationally recognized criteria for these statin-induced muscle symptoms exist although the American College of Cardiology definition is commonly used. This definition divides statin-associated muscle disease into a spectrum of symptombased disorders: