June 3, 2021
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that adults with diabetes are 1.7 times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than adults without diabetes. Statin therapy is beneficial to lower patients’ risk of future heart attack,
stroke, and related deaths. However, almost 2 out of 5 patients with diabetes were not prescribed a statin, according to the Journal
of the American College of Cardiology.
Some patients either don’t start or don’t continue statins because of statin-associated muscle symptoms. However, the American College of Cardiology states that “Although muscle symptoms may occur, true statin intolerance is uncommon. Given the benefits
of statins in Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Complications (ASCVD) risk reduction, clinicians should partner with the patient to gain a thorough symptom history and determine if he or she is truly statin intolerant. Walk through the steps
of treating and managing a patient who reports muscle symptoms, including cycles of statin discontinuation and rechallenge to identify a tolerated statin and dose.”
Check out a helpful tool to assess, treat, and manage patients with possible statin intolerance.
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has two star measures to support statin therapy’s importance. Learn more about these measures:
For more information or if you have questions about this article, email Premera’s Provider Clinical Consultant team.
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