Before Polio Survivors Take Statin Medications

A Bruno Byte
From Richard L. Bruno, HD, PhD
Director, International Centre for Polio Education

I’m not presenting this report so that you worry if you are taking a statin. Muscle damage is VERY rare but is something to keep in mind and to show your doctor. All polio survivors need to have blood drawn to measure CK (an enzyme that increases with muscle damage) before you take a statin.

Statin-Induced Myopathy in a Patient with Previous Poliomyelitis American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 92(11); January, 2013

This report describes a patient with a history of poliomyelitis who developed new, progressive symptoms of muscle fatigue and weakness, suggestive of post-poliomyelitis syndrome. However, comprehensive investigations led to the diagnosis of statin-induced myopathy as the cause of the patient's symptoms. This case highlights the possibility of statin-induced myopathy in patients with a history of poliomyelitis and the differential diagnosis between post-poliomyelitis syndrome and statin- induced myopathy in these patients. The possibility of statin-induced myopathy should be considered when patients with previous poliomyelitis who take statin medication develop symptoms suggestive of post-poliomyelitis syndrome.