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Review
. 2023 Feb;25(2):43-53.
doi: 10.1007/s11883-022-01077-9. Epub 2023 Jan 7.

The Management of Hypercholesterolemia in Patients with Neuromuscular Disorder

Wann Jia Loh  1   2   3   4 , Gerald F Watts  5   6
Affiliations
Review

The Management of Hypercholesterolemia in Patients with Neuromuscular Disorder

Wann Jia Loh et al. Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose of review: We describe and discuss the safety of statins and non-statin drugs in neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). We also propose a pragmatic model of care for the management of such cases.

Recent findings: Patients with both NMD and hypercholesterolemia may be particularly disadvantaged owing to the toxic effects of cholesterol-lowering therapy and the inability to take medication. Specifically, the management of hypercholesterolemia in patients with NMD is complicated by the increased risk of statin-related myotoxicity and concerns that statins may aggravate or possibly induce the onset of a specific NMD. The most severe form of statin-related myotoxicity is immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy. Management of hypercholesterolemia in patients with NMDs include treating modifiable factors, consideration of toxicity risk of statin, use of non-statin lipid lowering agents, noting possible drug interactions, and careful monitoring.

Keywords: Hypercholesterolemia; Immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy; Myasthenia gravis; Neuromuscular disorder; Statin myotoxicity; Statin safety.

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References

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