To burn or to freeze: a burning question yet to be resolved

[Statin intolerance and statin-associated muscular pain]

Statins are among the best studied drugs. Due to the extensive evidence regarding efficacy and safety, they are the cornerstone of lipid-lowering therapy. While the tolerability of statins in large blinded studies is at the placebo level, so-called statin intolerance (SI) is a frequent and complex problem in everyday clinical practice. Statin-associated muscular pain (SAMS) is most commonly reported. In many cases SI is associated with inadequate lowering of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (LDL-C), thereby increasing the cardiovascular risk. The diagnosis of SAMS is based on the exclusion of possible alternative causes of muscular symptoms and the exclusion of nocebo effects through a diagnostic strategy of discontinuation of statin treatment, observation and assessment of symptoms, followed by renewed administration of a different statin initially at a low dose with subsequent dose increase. A large proportion of patients with SI and SAMS can take statins permanently and without discomfort by this approach. If LDL‑C lowering is insufficient, combination therapies are used. It is an important task of the prescribing physicians and all those involved in the treatment to increase the adherence to statins through appropriate communication. Numerous questions on SI remain open and are being addressed by an ongoing register.