Abstract
BackgroundHMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) are the first-choice therapy for primary prevention of cardio- vascular disease. Some maintain that statins cause adverse musculoskeletal outcomes in highly active individuals, but few studies have examined the effects of statins on exer- cise-related injuries. ObjectiveWe sought to compare the prevalence of exercise- related injuries between runners who do or do not use statins. MethodsAmateur runners (n=4460) completed an extensive online questionnaire on their exercise patterns and health status. Participants replied to questions on the prevalence of exercise-related injuries in the previous year. Injuries were divided into general injuries, tendon- and ligament-related injuries, and muscle-related injuries. Par- ticipants were also queried about statin use: the type of statin, statin dose, and duration of treatment. Runners were divided into statin users, non-statin users with hyperc- holesterolemia, and controls for analysis. ResultsThe crude odds ratios (ORs) for injuries, tendon- or ligament-related injuries, and muscle-related injuries in statin users compared with controls were 1.14 (95% con- fidence interval [CI] 0.79–1.66), 1.10 (95% CI 0.71–1.72), and 1.15 (95% CI 0.69–1.91), respectively. After adjust- ment for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and metabolic equivalent of task (MET) h/week of exercise, the ORs were 1.11 (95% CI 0.76–1.62), 1.06 (95% CI 0.68–1.66), and 0.98 (95% CI 0.58–1.64), respectively. Similar effect measures were found when comparing non-statin users with hypercholesterolemia and controls. ConclusionWe did not find an association between statin use and the prevalence of exercise-related injuries or ten- don-, ligament-, and muscle-related injuries. Runners receiving statins should continue normal physical activity without concern for increased risk of injuries.
Description
This study investigates the relationship between statin use and exercise-related injuries in amateur runners.