Intensity and frequency of musculoskeletal pain among statin and non-statin taking patients referred to physical therapy - A cross sectional survey

The use of statins to reduce low-density cholesterol is widespread worldwide for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases and considered to be the first-line therapy for hypercholesterolemia [1-4]. About 25 million people worldwide use lipid-lowering drugs on a regular basis [1,2] and about 19% of the population of Israel [5,6]. Statins drugs (LDL-C) inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase which is responsible for the rate of cholesterol synthesis [7]. They have been shown to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease [8,9].