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The Robert Guthrie Biochemical Genetics Laboratory
at the Buffalo General Hospital, Kaleida Health, and the University at
Buffalo is currently looking for individuals who have been taking
cholesterol-lowering drugs (statins) for at least 6 months.
Those invited to participate will fall into three categories as
described below: (1) Normal Control
Individuals would be those individuals that have had no muscle pain or
weakness while taking statins. (2) Severely Affected
Individuals would be those who suffer incapacitating muscle pain, cramps
or weakness that leads to disability temporarily while taking statin drugs,
or persistently after drug therapy has been discontinued.
In addition, any participant who has had any of the following
abnormal test results (if known):
● The observation of “coca-cola” colored urine ●
Abnormal elevation of a blood substance called “creatine kinase”
or CK or CPK ●
Abnormal EMG (electromyogram). This
test is performed by a neurologist who places a needle in various muscles
and electrically stimulates the muscles.
You may already have had muscle biopsy studies performed. (3) Mildly Affected
Individuals are those who have noted mild muscle pain, cramps or
weakness that is bearable without discontinuing statin therapy. There
is no cost or payment to you for participation in this study.
The benefits to you will be the possible provision of risk factor
information about side effects from these medications that may help with
your future medical care. *Please note that participants will be responsible
for the collection and shipment of a blood sample to our laboratory, as well
as the completion of consent forms and a medical questionnaire. Costs
related to blood collection and shipping will be reimbursed to you.* If
you would like to participate in the Statin Study, please call Cathy Kern at
716-829-2695 on Tuesday through Friday or leave a message for a call back. The
study protocol has been approved by the Health Sciences Institutional Review
Board of The University at Buffalo
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