Simultaneous bilateral Achilles tendon ruptures associated with statin medication despite regular rock climbing exercise

Effects of Statin Treatment on the Development of Tendinopathy: A Nationwide Population-Based Cohort Study

Background

Previous longitudinal cohort studies have reported the conflicting results of the relationship between statin use and the development of tendinopathy disorder. It is unclear if there is a relationship between statin use, particularly the type or cumulative doses, and the development of tendinopathy disorder.

Purpose

To investigate an association between statin treatment and the development of tendinopathy.

Study Design

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods

A total of 594,130 participants were enrolled in this study in 2002 and evaluated until 2015. There were 84,102 statin users and 168,204 nonusers (controls) selected at a ratio of 1:2 using propensity score matching analysis. The types of included tendinopathy were as follows: (1) trigger finger, (2) radial styloid tenosynovitis, (3) elbow epicondylitis, (4) rotator cuff tendinopathy, and (5) Achilles tendinitis. Cox proportional hazards models with time-varying covariates were constructed to identify the association between statin use and tendinopathy development.

Results

Statin treatments regardless of statin types were associated with a significantly greater risk of all types of tendinopathy development (hazard ratio, 1.435; 95% CI, 1.411-1.460) compared with no statin treatment. A trend toward risk reduction was observed according to cumulative statin doses, which was indicated by hazard ratios of 2.337 (95% CI, 2.269-2.406), 2.210 (95% CI, 2.132-2.290), and 1.1 (95% CI, 1.098-1.146) in patients with cumulative defined daily doses of 90, 91-180, and >180, respectively.

Conclusion

This nationwide population-based cohort study suggests that statin use regardless of the statin type was associated with a greater risk of tendinopathy compared with that of nonusers. The risk of tendinopathy development was diluted with the increasing cumulative defined daily dose.

Multiple tendon ruptures associated with statin therapy

We present the case of a 44-year-old physician with familial heterozygous hypercholesterolemia who experienced multiple tendon ruptures during 19 years of statin therapy and no tendon injuries in the 5 years since statins were discontinued. Statins may deleteriously affect tendon extracellular matrix by inhibiting synthesis of matrix metalloproteinases and cell cycle regulatory proteins. Clinicians should be aware of this possible association between statins and tendinopathy.

Statin treatment increases the clinical risk of tendinopathy through matrix metalloproteinase release - a cohort study design combined with an experimental study

Recent experimental evidence indicates potential adverse effects of statin treatment on tendons but previous clinical studies are few and inconclusive. The aims of our study were, first, to determine whether statin use in a cohort design is associated with tendinopathy disorders, and second, to experimentally understand the pathogenesis of statin induced tendinopathy. We studied association between statin use and different tendon injuries in two population-based Swedish cohorts by time-dependent Cox regression analysis. Additionally, we tested simvastatin in a 3D cell culture model with human tenocytes. Compared with never-users, current users of statins had a higher incidence of trigger finger with adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) of 1.50 for men (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21-1.85) and 1.21 (1.02-1.43) for women. We also found a higher incidence of shoulder tendinopathy in both men (aHR 1.43; 1.24-1.65) and women (aHR 1.41; 0.97-2.05). Former users did not confer a higher risk of tendinopathies. In vitro experiments revealed an increased release of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-13 and a weaker, disrupted matrix after simvastatin exposure. Current statin use seems to increase the risk of trigger finger and shoulder tendinopathy, possibly through increased MMP release, and subsequently, a weakened tendon matrix which will be more prone to injuries.

Association of Statin Use with Increased Risk of Musculoskeletal Conditions: A Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Musculoskeletal conditions, including osteoarthritis (OA), result in tremendous disability and cost. Statins are among the most commonly prescribed medications and their use for primary prevention in many otherwise healthy individuals, including those who are physically active, is increasing. There is conflicting evidence regarding the relationship of statin use and musculoskeletal conditions. Given the rising disability associated with musculoskeletal conditions, understanding predisposing factors, including medication-related exposures, deserves further attention.

OBJECTIVES

We examined the association between statin use and the risk of being diagnosed with non-traumatic arthropathies, use-related injury, and undergoing rehabilitation in a cohort with longitudinal follow-up.

METHODS

Patients enrolled in a regional military healthcare system between 2003 and 2012 were evaluated in this retrospective cohort study. A propensity score was generated to match statin-users and nonusers using 115 baseline characteristics. Outcomes included ICD-9 diagnoses codes for Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality disease categories of: non-traumatic arthropathies, use-related injury and undergoing rehabilitation. Primary analysis examined the outcomes in statin-users and nonusers after propensity score matching using conditional logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Initially, 60,455 patients were identified. We propensity score-matched 6728 statin users with 6728 nonusers (52 years of age, ~ 47% women). In the propensity score-matched cohort, non-traumatic arthropathies occurred in 59.8% of statin users and 56.0% of nonusers [odds ratio (OR) 1.17, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.09-1.25] and use related injury occurred in 31.9% of statin users and 29.8% of nonusers (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.19). There was no difference between statin users and nonusers undergoing rehabilitation (22.6% among statin users, 21.9% among nonusers, OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.96-1.13).

CONCLUSION

Statin use was associated with a significant increased risk of non-traumatic arthropathies and use-related injury. Our results provide additional data that can inform patient and clinician conversations about the benefits and risks of statin use.

Statin-induced calcific Achilles tendinopathy in rats: comparison of biomechanical and histopathological effects of simvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin

PURPOSE

Accumulating clinical evidence indicates the risk of tendinopathy and spontaneous and/or simultaneous tendon ruptures associated with statin use. This experimental study was designed to evaluate and compare the biomechanical and histopathological effects of the three most commonly prescribed statins (simvastatin, atorvastatin and rosuvastatin) on the Achilles tendon in rats.

METHODS

Statins were administered by gavage to rats at daily doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg for 3 weeks. One week later, the Achilles tendons were dissected and their biomechanical properties, including ultimate tensile force, yield force and elastic modulus, were determined. The samples were stained with haematoxylin-eosin and examined under a light microscope. The biomechanical properties of the tibia were tested by three-point bending test. Bone mineral density (BMD) and the lengths of tibias were measured by computed tomography.

RESULTS

All the statins caused deterioration of the biomechanical parameters of the Achilles tendon. Histopathological analysis demonstrated foci of dystrophic calcification only in the statin-treated groups. However, the number and the total area of calcific deposits were similar between the statin groups. The biomechanical parameters of tibias were improved in all the statin groups. BMD in the statin-treated groups was not significantly different from the control group.

CONCLUSION

All the statins tested are associated with calcific tendinopathy risk of which full awareness is required during everyday medical practice. However, statin-associated improvement of bone biomechanical properties is a favourable feature which may add to their beneficial effects in atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, especially in the elderly.

Simvastatin and atorvastatin reduce the mechanical properties of tendon constructs in vitro and introduce catabolic changes in the gene expression pattern

Treatment with lipid-lowering drugs, statins, is common all over the world. Lately, the occurrence of spontaneous tendon ruptures or tendinosis have suggested a negative influence of statins upon tendon tissue. But how statins might influence tendons is not clear. In the present study, we investigated the effect of statin treatment on mechanical strength, cell proliferation, collagen content and gene expression pattern in a tendon-like tissue made from human tenocytes in vitro. Human tendon fibroblasts were grown in a 3D tissue culture model (tendon constructs), and treated with either simvastatin or atorvastatin, low or high dose, respectively, for up to seven days. After seven days of treatment, mechanical testing of the constructs was performed. Collagen content and cell proliferation were also determined. mRNA levels of several target genes were measured after one or seven days. The maximum force and stiffness were reduced by both statins after 7 days (p<0.05), while the cross sectional area was unaffected. Further, the collagen content was reduced by atorvastatin (p = 0.01) and the cell proliferation rate was decreased by both types of statins (p<0.05). Statin treatment also introduced increased mRNA levels of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-13, TIMP-1 and decreased levels of collagen type 1 and 3. In conclusion, statin treatment appears to have a negative effect on tendon matrix quality as seen by a reduced strength of the tendon constructs. Further, activated catabolic changes in the gene expression pattern and a reduced collagen content indicated a disturbed balance in matrix production of tendon due to statin administration.

Do different tendons exhibit the same response following chronic exposure to statins?

Over the past few years, a number of cases of tendon injuries associated with statin therapy have been reported. In this study, we assessed whether statins can affect the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the deep digital flexor tendon (DDFT) and patellar tendon (PT). Wistar rats were assigned to groups treated with atorvastatin (A20, A80), treated with simvastatin (S20, S80), and control. Zymography, Western blotting for collagen I, non-collagenous proteins (NCP), glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), and hydroxyproline quantifications were performed. DDFT findings: NCP were increased in A20 and A80; higher concentration of hydroxyproline was found in S80; levels of GAGs was increased in all statin-treated groups; collagen I was increased in S80 and pro-MMP-2 activity was reduced in A80, S20, and S80. PT findings: NCP were reduced in A20, A80, and S80; GAGs was reduced in A80 and S20; collagen I was increased in A20 and pro-MMP-2 activity was reduced in the S20. Both the statins provoked marked changes in both tendons. All these changes may make the tendons more prone to microdamage and ruptures. Therefore, a better understanding of the behavior of the tendon ECM components under statin therapy may provide important insights into the mechanisms behind statin-induced tendon injuries.

Statin Adverse Events in Primary Prevention: Between Randomized Trials and Observational Studies

Considerable debate exists regarding who might benefit from statins for primary prevention. Statins have wide pleotropic effects, which contribute to their efficacy in lowering cardiovascular disease but may also result in adverse events (AEs). Caveats in identifying AEs in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) include the lack of a standardized definition of statin-associated AEs, the differences in properties of different statins, the selectivity of RCTs in choosing their participants, the presence of high rate of nonadherence/withdrawal from trials and other concerns related to study design and conflict of interest. Caveats in identifying or overestimating AEs in observational studies include failure to identify baseline confounders, ascertainment bias, confounding by indication and healthy user bias. Statin use in observational studies may be a surrogate marker for higher socioeconomic standards, access to health care or use of other preventive services. Integrating evidence from both RCTs and observational studies is of paramount importance for appropriate patient-centered decision.

Prevention of Simvastatin-Induced Inhibition of Tendon Cell Proliferation and Cell Cycle Progression by Geranylgeranyl Pyrophosphate

Statins have been reported to induce tendinopathy and even tendon rupture. The present study was designed to investigate the potential molecular mechanism underlying the adverse effect of simvastatin on tendon cells. An in vitro tendon healing model was performed using tendon cells isolated from rat Achilles tendons. The viability of tendon cells and cell cycle progression were examined by the MTT assay and flow cytometric analysis, respectively. Immunofluorescent staining for Ki-67 was used to assess the proliferation activity of tendon cells. Western blot analysis and coimmunoprecipitation was used to determine the protein expression of cell cycle-related proteins. To investigate the potential mechanism underlying the effect of statins on tendon cells, mevalonate, farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP), or geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP) was added to simvastatin-treated tendon cells. Simvastatin inhibited the in vitro tendon healing model and tendon cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Immunofluorescent staining demonstrated reduced ki-67 expression in simvastatin-treated tendon cells. Furthermore, simvastatin induced cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase. The expression levels of cdk1, cdk2, cyclin A, and cyclin E were downregulated by simvastatin in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of simvastatin was proved to mediate the reduction of mevalonate, and the addition of exogenous GGPP completely prevented the inhibitory effect of simvastatin on tendon cells. The present study demonstrated, for the first time, the molecular mechanism underlying simvastatin-induced tendinopathy or tendon rupture. GGPP was shown to prevent the adverse effect of simvastatin in tendon cells without interfering with its cholesterol-reducing efficacy.

Structural and biomechanical changes in the Achilles tendon after chronic treatment with statins

Cases of tendinopathy and tendon ruptures have been reported as side effects associated with statin therapy. This work assessed possible changes in the structural and biomechanical properties of the tendons after chronic treatment with statins. Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: treated with atorvastatin (A-20 and A-80), simvastatin (S-20 and S-80) and the group that received no treatment (C). The doses of statins were calculated using allometric scaling, based on the doses of 80 mg/day and 20 mg/day recommended for humans. The morphological aspect of the tendons in A-20, S-20 and S-80 presented signals consistent with degeneration. Both the groups A-80 and S-80 showed a less pronounced metachromasia in the compression region of the tendons. Measurements of birefringence showed that A-20, A-80 and S-80 groups had a lower degree of organization of the collagen fibers. In all of the groups treated with statins, the thickness of the epitenon was thinner when compared to the C group. In the biomechanical tests the tendons of the groups A-20, A-80 and S-20 were less resistant to rupture. Therefore, statins affected the organization of the collagen fibers and decreased the biomechanical strength of the tendons, making them more predisposed to ruptures.

Lipids, adiposity and tendinopathy: is there a mechanistic link? Critical review

Being overweight or obese is associated with an elevated risk of tendon pathology. However, for sportspeople the epidemiological data linking weight or adiposity on one hand, and risk of tendon pathology on the other, are less consistent. Indeed, the mechanistic links between diet, adiposity and tendon pathology remain largely unexamined. Recent studies have begun to examine the effects of dietary interventions on outcomes such as tendon biomechanics or pain. Oxidised low-density lipoprotein has been shown to (A) accumulate in the tendon tissues of mice that eat a fatty diet and (B) induce a pathological phenotype in human tendon cells. This paper addresses the current debate: is excessive body mass index (causing increased load and strain on tendon tissue) per se the underlying mechanism? Or do local or systemic influences of fat on tendons predispose to tendon pathology? This narrative review argues that excessive blood lipids may be an important avenue for clinical investigations.

Statins induce biochemical changes in the Achilles tendon after chronic treatment

Statins have been widely prescribed as lipid-lowering drugs and are associated with tendon rupture. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the possible biochemical changes in the Achilles tendon of rats after chronic treatment with statins. Dosages of statins were calculated using allometric scaling with reference to the 80mg/day and 20mg/day, doses recommended for humans. The rats were divided into the following groups: treated with simvastatin (S-20 and S-80), treated with atorvastatin (A-20 and A-80), and the control group that received no treatment (C). Measurements of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in the plasma were performed. The levels of non-collagenous proteins, glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and hydroxyproline were quantified. Western blotting for collagen I was performed, and the presence of metalloproteinases (MMPs)-2 and -9 was investigated through zymography. The concentration of non-collagenous proteins in S-20 was less than the C group. There was a significant increase in pro-MMP-2 activity in A-80 group and in active MMP-2 in S-20 group compared to the C group. A significant increase in latent MMP-9 activity was observed in both the A-80 and S-20 groups when compared to C group. In the A-20 group, there was a lower amount of collagen I in relation to C group. In addition, a higher concentration of hydroxyproline was found in the S-20 group than the C group. The analysis of GAGs showed a significant increase in the A-20 group when compared to C group. The treatment induced remarkable alterations in the Achilles tendon and the response of the tissue seems to depend of the used statin dosage. The presence of MMP-2 and MMP-9 is evidence of the degradation and remodeling processes in the extracellular matrix of the tendons. Our results show that statins induce imbalance of extracellular matrix components and possibly induce microdamage in tendons.

Incidence of musculoskeletal and neoplastic diseases in patients on statin therapy: results of a retrospective cohort analysis

BACKGROUND

Because of their beneficial cardiovascular effects, several studies have recently advocated starting statins at a young age for primary prevention. However, some reports suggest that statin therapy may be associated with an increased incidence of musculoskeletal and neoplastic diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the incidence of various musculoskeletal and neoplastic diseases in statin users and nonusers.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients in the San Antonio Military Multi-Service Market during the period from October 1, 2003, to March 5, 2010, was conducted. The International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, diagnosis codes between 2 cohort groups-statin users and nonusers-were compared. Statin users were those patients with at least one 3-month prescription for a statin in the fiscal year 2004. Nonusers were those patients who received a prescription-but not a statin-during the period of the study. Both groups were assessed for the development of musculoskeletal and neoplastic diseases in the following 4-year period (October 1, 2004, to September 30, 2009).

RESULTS

A total of 92,360 patients were identified: 12,980 statin users and 45,997 nonusers. After adjusting for age, sex and Charlson comorbidity index, statin users had significantly higher rates of osteoarthritis and arthropathy (odds ratio: 1.26; 95% confidence interval: 1.19-1.33), and dorsopathies, rheumatism and chondropathies (odds ratio: 1.20; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-1.27).

CONCLUSIONS

In this retrospective analysis, statin use was associated with an increased incidence of musculoskeletal diseases, including arthropathy. Further studies are needed to provide physicians and their patients with adequate information regarding statin therapy, particularly if recommended for primary prevention in younger populations.

The controversy of a wider statin utilization: why?

INTRODUCTION

Several medical journals published viewpoints and counter-viewpoints supporting or opposing a wider utilization of statins for primary prevention. The objective of this article is not to weigh in the benefits versus risks of statin use, but to discuss various aspects of this controversy.

AREAS COVERED

This review discusses the challenges in examining the pleotropic effects/adverse events of statins. It also discusses the pitfalls in assessment of adverse events in randomized controlled trials and observational studies.

EXPERT OPINION

The challenges in solving this controversy include that the pleotropic effect of statins results in an extremely wide spectrum of reported benefits or adverse events, the reported harms/benefits are contradictory, there is basic research ground supporting both sides of the controversy, it is difficult to separate if adverse events are due to statins or due to lower cholesterol, and that there is a lack of standardized definition of statin-associated adverse events and their methods of ascertainment. Both randomized controlled trials and observational studies have pitfalls and caveats in assessment of adverse events. Understanding the points of debate is of paramount significance to enable clinicians to individualize patient care.

SPONTANEOUS DISTAL BICEPS TENDON RUPTURES: ARE THEY RELATED TO STATIN ADMINISTRATION?

The purpose of this study is to identify a possible correlation between statin administration and incidence of spontaneous distal biceps tendon ruptures. We retrospectively reviewed 104 patients with distal biceps tendon rupture that were treated surgically from 2004 to 2010, 102 males and two females with mean age 47 years (range, 22–78). Patients were divided based on the mechanism of injury and statin administration. After statistical analysis, it was found nearly two times more likely to have spontaneous distal biceps tendon rupture with use of statins. Patients in Group 1 (spontaneous tendon rupture) compared to Group 2 (provoked tendon rupture) were older, had weaker postoperative strength but similar postoperative ROM. Patients taking statins compared to those that were not taking statins were older, had same postoperative strength and similar postoperative ROM. Based on the results of our study we conclude that there is a trend of association of spontaneous distal biceps tendon ruptures with statin administration.

Simultaneous acute rotator cuff tear and distal biceps rupture in a strongman competitor

Acute rotator cuff tear is commonly associated with tearing of the proximal biceps tendon, but has never been reported to occur simultaneously with a distal biceps tendon rupture. A 38-year-old right-hand-dominant strongman competitor attempted a 300-pound overhead axle press and experienced immediate pain in the right shoulder and elbow. He had no known systemic risk factors for tendon ruptures including hyperparathyroidism, hemodialysis, alcoholism, rheumatoid arthritis, statin medications, fluoroquinolones, and steroid use.Right shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a full-thickness supraspinatus tear with 3 cm of retraction. There was minimal fatty infiltration of the supraspinatus on the sagittal cuts consistent with acute rupture. The subscapularis was intact. The long head of the biceps tendon had mild medial subluxation but was completely within the bicipital groove. Right elbow MRI showed a complete distal biceps tendon rupture. Thirteen days after his injury, the patient underwent arthroscopic supraspinatus repair and proximal biceps tenodesis. Distal biceps tendon repair was performed using the modified 2-incision muscle-splitting technique. At 24-month follow-up, the patient was pain free and had returned to full activity including weightlifting but had not returned to strongman competition.This is the first report of simultaneous acute full thickness ruptures of the rotator cuff and distal biceps tendon. This case report underscores the importance of a complete physical examination and a high index of suspicion for additional concomitant injuries, particularly in athletes with unusually high stresses to the body.