Statin use impairs muscle strength recovery in post-stroke patients with sarcopenia.

Aim: The effects of statins on muscle health are not well established. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of statin use on muscle strength and mass recovery in patients with sarcopenia after stroke.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included stroke patients with sarcopenia hospitalized between 2015 and 2021 at a post-acute rehabilitation hospital. Sarcopenia was diagnosed using handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass index measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis according to the 2019 criteria of the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia. The study outcomes included handgrip strength and skeletal muscle mass index at hospital discharge. We used multivariate analyses to examine whether statin use was independently associated with the outcomes. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05.

Results: Of the 586 patients enrolled, 241 (mean age 79.3 years, 44.4% men) presented with sarcopenia and were included in the analysis. Statin use was observed in 61 (25.3%) patients. Statin use was independently negatively associated with handgrip strength at discharge (β = -0.095, P = 0.032), but not with skeletal muscle mass index at discharge (β = 0.019, P = 0.692).

Conclusions: Statin use was negatively associated with muscle strength recovery, but not with muscle mass in patients with sarcopenia who underwent rehabilitation after stroke. To maximize outcomes, sufficient consideration is needed for statin use in these patients. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2023; 23: 676-683.