The Association Between Lipid Lowering Agents and Development of Peripheral Neuropathy

Abstract Background: Statin drugs are widely recommended to lower lipid levels in the blood and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality, long-term treatment can result in side effects such as neuromuscular symptoms and peripheral neuropathy, which are now one of the main reasons for discontinuing statin therapy. Objectives: To estimate the possible association between the use of statin and the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy and assessed by electrodiagnostic study. Materials and Methods: This case–control study was conducted in neurophysiological unit in collaboration with the cardiology unit in Shaheed Al Mehrab Catheterization Center in Merjan Medical City in Al-Hilla City in Iraq. A sample of 50 patients consisted of 40 males and 10 females, the age of distribution of the study group ranged from 30 to 65 years with daily consumption of statin for more than 6 months. The control group comprised 50 patients, including 40 males and 10 females, who were relatives, friends, medical staff, and relatives of patients. The patients, aged between 30 and 65 years, had never complained about any signs of peripheral neuropathy. Each patient had the same neurophysiological tests for the sensory and motor wave (amplitude, latency, and nerve conduction velocity) of the peripheral nerves (median, ulnar, sural, tibial, and peroneal). Results: The result of this study shows a statistically significant difference between the ages. In this study, cases suffered from peripheral neuropathy were only 14 (28%) compared to 36 (72%) cases without peripheral neuropathy. The patients on statins showed the amplitudes were significantly decreased in median (motor and sensory) with P value < 0.05, ulnar (only sensory), P value < 0.001, sural nerve, P value < 0.003, and tibial nerves, P value < 0.001. Whereas latencies were significantly prolonged in median (motor only), P value < 0.001 and ulnar (motor and sensory), P value < 0.05, sural, P value < 0.001 and tibial nerves, P value < 0.022. Regarding the F-wave, we found that it was prolonged in median, ulnar, peroneal, and tibial nerves, P value < 0.001. Conclusion: Statin consumption can cause changes in the peripheral motor and sensory nerves and increase the risk of peripheral neuropathy with statin exposure. However, awareness of the side effects would lead to better treatment.