Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on statin-associated myalgia and adherence to statin therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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#adult #aged #dietary-supplements #female #humans

Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on statin-associated myalgia and adherence to statin therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Kennedy et al., 2020 | Atherosclerosis | Meta Analysis

Citation

Kennedy Cormac, Köller Yasmin, Surkova Elena. Effect of Coenzyme Q10 on statin-associated myalgia and adherence to statin therapy: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Atherosclerosis. 2020-Apr;299:1-8. doi:10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2020.03.006

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Statin associated muscle symptoms are common and affect adherence to statin treatment. The objective of this study was to assess whether patients with statin-associated myalgia can be successfully treated with Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) to improve symptoms and maintain them on statin therapy. METHODS: This systematic review was performed in line with the 2015 PRISMA statement. Relevant studies were identified via a search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library. Studies were screened to include randomised controlled trials of oral CoQ10 supplementation versus a placebo in adults with statin-associated myalgia. Continuation of statin therapy was a secondary outcome. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Pooled and sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: 413 records were identified by the search strategy. Eight studies were selected for review, and 7 of them (with 321 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. Selected studies were published between 2007 and 2016 with the number of participants ranging from 37 to 76. Only two of these studies demonstrated a positive effect of CoQ10 therapy in relieving muscle pain. The meta-analysis did not demonstrate any benefit of CoQ10 supplementation in improving myalgia symptoms compared to placebo (weighted mean difference -0.42; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] -1.47 to 0.62). Similarly, CoQ10 did not improve the proportion of patients remaining on the statin treatment (RR 0.99; 95%CI, 0.81 to 1.20). CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review and meta-analysis did not demonstrate that CoQ10 supplementation was beneficial for patients with statin-associated muscle pain or improved adherence to statin therapy.

Key Findings

413 records were identified by the search strategy. Eight studies were selected for review, and 7 of them (with 321 patients) were included in the meta-analysis. Selected studies were published between 2007 and 2016 with the number of participants ranging from 37 to 76. Only two of these studies demonstrated a positive effect of CoQ10 therapy in relieving muscle pain. The meta-analysis did not demonstrate any benefit of CoQ10 supplementation in improving myalgia symptoms compared to placebo (wei

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population statin
Sample Size 321
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Dietary Supplements
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence
  • Middle Aged
  • Myalgia
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ubiquinone

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: coq10-heart

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09