A genetic study of intolerance to statins in the UKBiobank

Seven million Britons are taking statins for cardiovascular benefit. However, there have been strong concerns about their side effects such as muscle pain leading to intolerance in some patients. Here we examine clinical and genetic data of 82,000 UKBiobank participants to explore: which commonly prescribed drugs interact with statins and increase the risk of intolerance; whether genetic factors play a role in the onset of statin intolerance. Results from this largest genetic dataset will improve understanding of the biological reasons for intolerance and inform who are more likely to develop the symptoms, potentially leading to more effective treatment.