Table 1.

Classification of SAMS

Category	Definition
Myalgia	Muscle pain or weakness only
Myopathy	Muscle symptoms with a raised CK <10×ULN
Rhabdomyolysis	Muscle symptoms with a raised CK >10×ULN
Autoimmune myopathy	Muscle symptoms with muscle cell necrosis and presence of HMG-CoA reductase autoantibodies. CK levels persist ≥10 times the ULN 8 weeks after discontinuation of the statin.

Notes: Data compiled from Collins et al, Sathasivam and Lecky, Mammen, and Sweidan et al.²⁸–³¹

Abbreviations: CK, creatinine kinase; HMG-CoA, 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl-coenzyme A; SAMS, statin-associated muscle symptoms; ULN, upper limit of normal.