Statin use and longitudinal changes in quantitative MRI-based biomarkers of thigh muscle quality: data from Osteoarthritis Initiative

Objective To assess whether changes in MRI-based measures of thigh muscle quality associated with statin use in participants with and without/at-risk of knee osteoarthritis.

Methods This retrospective cohort study used data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative study. Statin users and non-users were matched for relevant covariates using 1:1 propensity-score matching. Participants were further stratified according to baseline radiographic knee osteoarthritis status. We used a validated deep-learning method for thigh muscle MRI segmentation and calculation of muscle quality biomarkers at baseline, 2nd, and 4th visits. Mean difference and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in longitudinal 4-year measurements of muscle quality biomarkers, including cross-sectional area, intramuscular adipose tissue, contractile percent, and knee extensors and flexors maximum and specific contractile force (force/muscle area) were the outcomes of interest.

Results After matching, 3772 thighs of 1910 participants were included (1886 thighs of statin-users: 1886 of non-users; age: 62 ± 9 years (average ± standard deviation), range: 45–79; female/male: 1). During 4 years, statin use was associated with a slight decrease in muscle quality, indicated by decreased knee extension maximum (mean-difference, 95% CI: − 1.85 N/year, − 3.23 to − 0.47) and specific contractile force (− 0.04 N/cm2/year, − 0.07 to − 0.01), decreased thigh muscle contractile percent (− 0.03%/year, − 0.06 to − 0.01), and increased thigh intramuscular adipose tissue (3.06 mm2/year, 0.53 to 5.59). Stratified analyses showed decreased muscle quality only in participants without/at-risk of knee osteoarthritis but not those with established knee osteoarthritis.

Conclusions Statin use is associated with a slight decrease in MRI-based measures of thigh muscle quality over 4 years. However, considering statins’ substantial cardiovascular benefits, these slight muscle changes may be relatively less important in overall patient care.