Abstract
Statins are first-line therapy for hyperlipidemia and are widely prescribed in primary care. Although generally safe, they carry rare but serious risks that must be considered on an individual basis. One such complication is immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy (IMNM), an autoimmune condition characterized by persistent muscle weakness and elevated creatine kinase (CK) despite discontinuation of the statin. We describe an 87-year-old man with a history of atorvastatin intolerance who was reinitiated on the medication five years later. Shortly thereafter, he developed progressive weakness, recurrent hospitalizations, and ultimately was diagnosed with IMNM confirmed by biopsy and HMG-CoA reductase antibodies. Despite treatment with immunosuppressive therapy, his condition deteriorated, and he passed away. This case highlights IMNM as a critical diagnostic consideration in patients presenting with persistent myalgias and CK elevation following statin withdrawal, underscoring the importance of early recognition and intervention in improving outcomes.
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Recommended Citation
Babcock CE, Rossi P, Hasvold J. Immune-Mediated Necrotizing Myopathy in Association with Statin Exposure. Aesculapius. 2026 Jan 01; 7(2026):Article 1. Available from: https://red.library.usd.edu/aesculapius/vol7/iss2026/1. Free full text article.