title: A questionnaire assessment of physical function in hyperlipidemic patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A spectrum of myopathic manifestations has been recognized as associated with lipid lowering drug therapy (LLT), but their effect on quality of life and physical functioning is uncertain. We conducted a prospective cohort study in which physical functioning was the dependent variable, in patients with and without exposure to LLT.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive patients attending a risk reduction clinic were invited to participate in a questionnaire study which included demographic data, muscular symptoms, the SF-36 Physical Function Score (PF), and the modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (mHAQ). Laboratory and co-morbidity data was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 117 consecutive patients invited to participate, 112 consented. Of these, 81 were receiving statins and/or fibrates as LLT and 31 were participating in a non-pharmacologic therapeutic program (NPT) of diet and exercise therapy. The mean age for the total population was 56.7 years (20-78): the LLT group 58.6 and NPT group 51.9 years. Women comprised 53% of the LLT group and 58% of the NPT. No significant differences in baseline lipid profiles, CK level, BMI, waist measurement, gender, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or acetaminophen use, frequency of myalgias, SF-36 PF or mHAQ scores were observed between groups. On comparison of gender groups, we observed that men receiving LLT had significantly better SF- 36 PF (p = 0.037) than men on NPT. There were no differences in SF-36 PF or mHAQ scores between groups for females.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We found no adverse effects of LLT on physical functioning or quality of life. Indeed, men treated with LLT had significantly better SF-36 PF scores than men treated non-pharmacologically.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. r.gjevre@usask.ca
authors.forename: Regina M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Taylor-Gjevre
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wassef
authors.forename: Bindu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Gjevre
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000960:Hypolipidemic Agents