title: Gender differences in side effects and attitudes regarding statin use in the Understanding Statin Use in America and Gaps in Patient Education (USAGE) study.
abstract: Statin therapy has been shown to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and the benefits of statin therapy are similar for men and women. Recent studies have shown that women are less likely to be treated with statin therapy, to be on higher doses of more potent statins, and to achieve their lipid goals as compared with men.
  
  
  
  To analyze results from the Understanding Statin Use in America and Gaps in Patient Education (USAGE) survey and to assess whether women differ from men with regard to reported side effects associated with statin use, clinician and patient interactions, as well as general attitudes and preferences regarding statin use.
  
  
  
  The study population was derived from participants in the USAGE survey, a self-administered, Internet-based questionnaire.
  
  
  
  More women reported switching or stopping a statin because of side effects compared with men. New or worsening muscle symptoms were reported in 31% of women compared with 26% of men (P < .01). More women, including high-risk women reported that their doctor did not give them information about their risk for heart disease compared with men. Women were more likely to try 3 or more statins, but less likely to use alternative low-density lipoprotein cholesterol-lowering drugs. Women were more likely to be dissatisfied with their statin, with how their clinician explained their cholesterol treatment, and less adherent to their statin than men.
  
  
  
  Women are more likely to stop or switch their statin than men, and the main reason for this was new or worsening muscle symptoms. Improved communication between the clinician and the patient about the benefits and risks of statin therapy will improve adherence, lipid goal attainment, and outcomes in women with or at risk for cardiovascular disease.
authors: Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: dean.karalis@uphs.upenn.edu.
authors: Dean G
authors: DG
authors: Karalis
authors: Oklahoma University Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.
authors: Robert A
authors: RA
authors: Wild
authors: MB Clinical Research, Glen Ellyn, IL, USA.
authors: Kevin C
authors: KC
authors: Maki
authors: Duke University School of Medicine, Fayetteville, NC, USA.
authors: Ray
authors: R
authors: Gaskins
authors: Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors: Terry A
authors: TA
authors: Jacobson
authors: Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc., Montgomery, AL, USA.
authors: Craig A
authors: CA
authors: Sponseller
authors: St. Louis University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
authors: Jerome D
authors: JD
authors: Cohen
mesh_terms: D000569:Americas; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010820:Physicians; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D016903:Drug Monitoring
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids
keywords: Compliance; Gender; Muscle pains; Myopathy; Statin intolerance; Statins