A 55-year-old man comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. He feels well. He has hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patient has been taking all his medications as prescribed. Four months ago, fasting serum studies showed an LDL-cholesterol of 136 mg/dL and his medications were adjusted. Vital signs are within normal limits. On physical examination, there is generalized weakness of the proximal muscles. Deep tendon reflexes are 2+ bilaterally. Laboratory testing reveals elevated serum creatine kinase. The medication most likely responsible for this patient's current findings also causes which of the following effects?

Question

A 55-year-old man comes to the physician for a follow-up examination. He feels well. He has hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The patient has been taking all his medications as prescribed. Four months ago, fasting serum studies showed an LDL-cholesterol of 136 mg/dL and his medications were adjusted. Vital signs are within normal limits. On physical examination, there is generalized weakness of the proximal muscles. Deep tendon reflexes are 2+ bilaterally.   Laboratory testing reveals elevated serum creatine kinase.  The medication most likely responsible for this patient's current findings also causes which of the following effects?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Statins inhibit the intracellular rate-limiting step of cholesterol biosynthesis via competitive inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase.  This leads to enhanced hepatic LDL receptor recycling and increased LDL clearance from the circulation.  Statin-induced myopathy (eg, myalgia, elevated creatine kinase) is the most common complication of statin use.

A 55-Year-Old Man Comes to the Physician for a Follow-Up