Frequency of rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with statins in hamad general hospital, Qatar

Background: Statins are well tolerated but associated with various statin-associated symptoms, including statin-associated rhabdomyolysis. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of rhabdomyolysis in patients treated with various statins and to describe their clinical features and outcomes in our local setting. Patients and Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted at Hamad General Hospital and included all patients who received statins for the period between January 1, 2017, and November 31, 2017. Results: Out of 1000 cases involved in this study, 3 cases (0.3%) met the criteria for rhabdomyolysis. Two of them were males and the third was a female. Two cases received simvastatin and one case received rosuvastatin. All developed muscle pain and were hospitalized, during which all patients were treated with drug withdrawal and hydration. Upon discharge, rosuvastatin was replaced by atorvastatin, while simvastatins were replaced by atorvastatin and rosuvastatin. Conclusion: Rhabdomyolysis is a recognized but rare side effect of statins that should not be a reason to limit the use of life-saving statin therapy.