NCT00609063

Brief Summary

Statins are a group of medications that are used to lower cholesterol levels. Although serious side effects are rare, some people taking statins experience muscle pain or weakness. This study will evaluate the number of people who experience mild muscle complaints and will determine the effect of statins on skeletal muscle strength, endurance, and aerobic exercise performance.

Trial Health

87
On Track

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Enrollment
420

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jan 2008

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

3 active sites

Status
completed

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

January 1, 2008

Completed
24 days until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

January 25, 2008

Completed
12 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

February 6, 2008

Completed
3.3 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

June 1, 2011

Completed
Same day until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

June 1, 2011

Completed
Last Updated

January 9, 2012

Status Verified

January 1, 2012

Enrollment Period

3.4 years

First QC Date

January 25, 2008

Last Update Submit

January 5, 2012

Conditions

Keywords

StatinsMyalgiaMuscle Cramp

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (6)

  • Myopathy frequency

    Measured every other week

  • Arm isokinetic force at 60 degrees per second

    Measured at Month 6

  • Leg isokinetic force at 60 degrees per second

    Measured at Month 6

  • Handgrip isometric force

    Measured at Month 6

  • Leg dynamic endurance

    Measured at Month 6

  • Maximal aerobic power

    Measured at Month 6

Secondary Outcomes (2)

  • Structural differences in the muscle samples obtained from symptomatic and asymptomatic participants

    Measured after 2 weeks of symptom persistence

  • Skeletal muscle gene expression in muscle samples obtained from symptomatic and asymptomatic participants

    Measured after 2 weeks of symptom persistence

Study Arms (2)

1

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will receive atorvastatin for 6 months.

Drug: Atorvastatin

2

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants will receive matching placebo for 6 months.

Drug: Placebo

Interventions

80-mg atorvastatin capsules taken daily for 6 months

Also known as: Lipitor
1

Placebo capsules taken daily for 6 months

2

Eligibility Criteria

Age20 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

  • Statin-naive (i.e., has never taken statins before)

You may not qualify if:

  • Previous use of statins
  • Current treatment with cholesterol- or triglyceride-lowering drugs
  • Impaired liver or kidney function
  • Untreated hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism
  • Treatment with other medications known to increase risk of myopathy in atorvastatin-treated patients (e.g., cyclosporine, azithromycin, erythromycin, azole antifungals, fusidic acid)
  • Existing infection requiring treatment with antibiotic therapy
  • Consumption of greater that 1 quart of grapefruit juice per day
  • Documented history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
  • Inherited muscle disorders or myopathy
  • Known sickle cell trait
  • Cancer within the 5 years prior to study entry
  • Diabetes
  • Currently being treated for high blood pressure
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Peripheral vascular disease
  • +2 more criteria

Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (3)

Hartford Hospital

Hartford, Connecticut, 06102, United States

Location

University of Connecticut

Storrs, Connecticut, 06269, United States

Location

University of Massachusetts

Amherst, Massachusetts, 01003, United States

Location

Related Publications (5)

  • Taylor BA, Dager AD, Panza GA, Zaleski AL, Meda S, Book G, Stevens MC, Tartar S, White CM, Polk DM, Pearlson GD, Thompson PD. The effect of high-dose atorvastatin on neural activity and cognitive function. Am Heart J. 2018 Mar;197:166-174. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2017.10.027. Epub 2017 Dec 6.

  • Ballard KD, Taylor BA, Capizzi JA, Grimaldi AS, White CM, Thompson PD. Atorvastatin Treatment Does Not Alter Pulse Wave Velocity in Healthy Adults. Int Sch Res Notices. 2014 Nov 13;2014:239575. doi: 10.1155/2014/239575. eCollection 2014.

  • Ballard KD, Parker BA, Capizzi JA, Grimaldi AS, Clarkson PM, Cole SM, Keadle J, Chipkin S, Pescatello LS, Simpson K, White CM, Thompson PD. Increases in creatine kinase with atorvastatin treatment are not associated with decreases in muscular performance. Atherosclerosis. 2013 Sep;230(1):121-4. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2013.07.001. Epub 2013 Jul 13.

  • Parker BA, Capizzi JA, Grimaldi AS, Clarkson PM, Cole SM, Keadle J, Chipkin S, Pescatello LS, Simpson K, White CM, Thompson PD. Effect of statins on skeletal muscle function. Circulation. 2013 Jan 1;127(1):96-103. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.112.136101. Epub 2012 Nov 26.

  • Parker BA, Capizzi JA, Augeri AL, Grimaldi AS, Michael White C, Thompson PD. Atorvastatin increases exercise leg blood flow in healthy adults. Atherosclerosis. 2011 Dec;219(2):768-73. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2011.09.049. Epub 2011 Oct 4.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Muscular DiseasesMyalgiaMuscle Cramp

Interventions

Atorvastatin

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Musculoskeletal DiseasesNeuromuscular DiseasesNervous System DiseasesMusculoskeletal PainPainNeurologic ManifestationsSigns and SymptomsPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsNeuromuscular Manifestations

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

PyrrolesAzolesHeterocyclic Compounds, 1-RingHeterocyclic CompoundsHeptanoic AcidsFatty AcidsLipids

Study Officials

  • Paul D. Thompson, MD

    Hartford Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
DOUBLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR
Intervention Model
PARALLEL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

January 25, 2008

First Posted

February 6, 2008

Study Start

January 1, 2008

Primary Completion

June 1, 2011

Study Completion

June 1, 2011

Last Updated

January 9, 2012

Record last verified: 2012-01

Locations