RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Statins are the leading lipid-lowering drugs, reducing blood cholesterol by controlling its synthesis. Side effects are linked to the use of statins, in particular statin-associated muscle symptoms (SAMS). Some data suggest that vitamin D supplementation could reduce SAMS. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: Men (n = 23) and women (n = 15) (50.5 ± 7.7 years [mean ± SD]) in primary cardiovascular prevention, self-reporting or not SAMS, were recruited. Following 2 months of statin withdrawal, patients were randomized to supplementation (vitamin D or placebo). After 1 month of supplementation, statins were reintroduced. Before and 2 months after drug reintroduction, muscle damage (creatine kinase and myoglobin) was measured. Force (F), endurance (E) and power (P) of the leg extensors (ext) and flexors (fle) and handgrip strength (FHG) were also measured with isokinetic and handheld dynamometers, respectively. The Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) were administrated to assess participants' self-reported health-related quality of life and SAMS intensity, respectively. Repeated-measures analysis was used to investigate the effects of time, supplementation, and their interaction, according to the presence of SAMS. RESULTS: Despite no change for objective measures, subjective measures worsened after reintroduction of statins, independent of supplementation (VAS, SF-36 mental component score, all p < 0.05). However, no interaction between time and supplementation according to the presence of SAMS was observed for any variables. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D supplementation does not appear to mitigate SAMS.