SIRT – Statin Intolerance Risk Test
Statins are the most widely used lipid lowering treatments globally due to their low cost and proven efficacy. In the Unites States alone it is estimated that 32 million people are taking statins. Statin intolerance has been reported to range from a few percent up to 20%.
Most common symptoms of the statin intolerance include muscle aches and pains. These adverse events also contribute to non-compliance. Indeed, many patients are at an increased risk due to non-compliance which has been estimated to reach 50% in the second year of usage. Improving adherence to statins by 50 % (from 50 % to 75 %) would prevent twice as many additional deaths.
For the treating physician it is difficult to ascertain the true status of intolerance due to the subjective nature of the pain reporting. A diagnostic test providing de facto evidence of intolerance would be highly useful. It may also be a valuable tool for the identification of statin intolerant patienst who might benefit from other lipid lowering drugs such as PCSK9 inhibitors.
Zora is currently validating biomarker candidates that can be used to diagnose statin induced myalgia in patients with normal creatine kinase (CK). Furthermore, our validation studies include also biomarkers that can be used to identify statin intolerant patients even after they have stopped the active treatment due to suspected muscle side effects. Thus, the diagnosis can be confirmed without unnecessary re-challenge related pain and discomfort.
