A Neuropathy Mimic: Statin-Induced Myopathy Presenting as Guillain-Barré Syndrome

Statins are widely used to manage dyslipidemia and prevent cardiovascular diseases due to their effectiveness and general safety profile. However, they can sometimes cause severe muscle-related adverse effects, presenting diagnostic challenges when symptoms overlap with other conditions. This case report describes a middle-aged woman who presented to the emergency department with bilateral lower limb weakness, initially suggesting Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). Despite her history of low-grade fever and diarrhea, primary and secondary surveys, including electrocardiogram, blood gas analysis, and nerve conduction studies, showed no definitive signs of GBS. The patient had a recent history of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty and was on dual antiplatelet therapy and rosuvastatin. Elevated creatine kinase levels and exclusion of other differential diagnoses led to the diagnosis of statin-induced myopathy, a rare but severe adverse effect of statins. The patient was treated with intravenous fluids, cessation of statins, and sessions of hemodialysis and plasmapheresis, resulting in significant improvement and eventual recovery of muscle power and neurological function. This case highlights the importance of recognizing statin-induced myopathy in patients with muscle weakness and emphasizes the need for thorough clinical evaluation to differentiate it from other conditions such as GBS. Further research is warranted to understand the pathophysiology of statin myopathy and identify at-risk populations.