STOMP was a double-blind, random-assignment clinical trial whose methods have been described.6 Equal numbers of men and women across three age ranges (20–39, 40–54, and 55+ yrs) were recruited over 4 years. Baseline lipid, liver, kidney, thyroid, and CK measurements were obtained. Subjects completed a baseline muscle symptom questionnaire and exercise testing including a maximal exercise test with gas analysis; handgrip, elbow flexor, and knee extensor strength testing; and a knee extensor endurance exercise test. Subjects were then randomly assigned in a double-blind fashion to identical placebo or atorvastatin 80mg daily (Lipitor; Pfizer, Inc., New York, NY). Atorvastatin tablets were crushed for compounding, but this does not influence relative bioavailability of the statin (Medical Information Letter 337882; Pfizer, Inc.) Subjects were called twice monthly to ascertain symptoms. Subjects performed repeat testing after 6 months or after they developed muscle symptoms meeting the study definition of statin-induced myalgia. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Boards at Hartford Hospital, University of Massachusetts, and University of Connecticut and monitored by a Data Safety and Monitoring Board.