HTA Details
Creatine Kinase Testing
- Publication date
-
2013-June-01
- Status
- Final
- Topic Area
- Diabetes and Other Endocrinal, Nutritional and Metabolic
- Recommendation
-
Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee Recommendations:
- The Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee recommends that creatine kinase be removed from the Ontario laboratory requisition form.
- Given the uncertainty regarding rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown) caused by statins, it is recommended that this be explored further through a field evaluation using existing administrative datasets by the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES).
Note: further recommendations on the appropriate testing parameters for creatine kinase may be added after the field evaluation has been completed.
- Ministry Response
-
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has accepted this recommendation.
-
To read the full OHTAC Recommendation Report for this topic, contact our Health Innovation team using the contact form to request a digital copy.
People with high cholesterol often take a type of drug called a statin to lower their cholesterol levels. However, there have been reports of muscle aches, soreness, or weakness (called rhabdomyolysis) associated with high levels of creatine kinase in people who take statin drugs. Creatine kinase is an enzyme (a protein) found in the brain, muscles and heart and can be a sign of muscle damage.
Ontario Health talked to experts to find out whether testing creatine kinase levels in people who take statins is helpful.
Supporting Documents
Last Updated: February 24, 2026
