Use of ACEI/ARB is not associated with increased mortality or severe COVID-19

Objectives:
There remains controversy over the usage of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) given their interaction with the angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2) receptor mechanism. Therefore, this review article has been conducted.

What is the impact of ACEI/ARB on COVID-19 associated disease severity and mortality?  

Study design:
This review article included 21 studies.

Results and conclusions:   
The investigators found in the ACEI/ARB use group, a non-significantly increased risk of 29% [pooled odds ratio = 1.29, 95% CI = 0.89-1.87, p = 0.18, I2 = 91%] for COVID-19 mortality.
Non-significantly means that there is no association with a 95% confidence.

The investigators found in the ACEI/ARB use group, a non-significantly decreased risk of 6% [pooled odds ratio = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.59-1.50, p = 0.81, I2 = 89%] for COVID-19 severity.

The investigators found in the ACEI/ARB use group, a non-significantly increased risk of 9% [pooled odds ratio = 1.09, 95% CI = 0.80-1.48, p = 0.58, I2 = 92%] for both COVID-19 severity and mortality.

The investigators concluded use of ACEI/ARB is not associated with increased mortality or severe COVID-19.

Original title:
Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors and Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers and Outcomes in patients with COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis by Lo KB, Bhargav R, […], Rangaswami J.

Link:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32945216/

Additional information of El Mondo:
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