<strong>Background: </strong>Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) have been an arguable risk factor for COVID-19 diseases because they could upregula...<strong>Background: </strong>Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) have been an arguable risk factor for COVID-19 diseases because they could upregulate Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2) expression, facilitating SARS-CoV2 entry to the lungs. Several retrospective clinical studies, however, found no such effect. Here, we explore how the use of ACEIs and ARBs links to COVID-19 across all countries of the world.<strong> Methods:</strong> Data on the availability of ACEIs and ARBs for 200 countries and on the number of cases and number of deaths per country by 28 December 2020 were extracted from WHO and Worldometer website, respectively. Data on life expectancy at age 65 years as a measure of ageing were from WHO and on Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (GDP PPP) and the percentage of urbanization were from the World Bank. Excel and SPSS v 26 software were used for statistical analyses.<strong> Results:</strong> In linear regression and logistic conditional regression analysis, GDP correlates with COVID-19 prevalence (rho = 0.66, p > 0.001) and deaths from COVID-19 (rho = 0.55, p < 0.001) while urbanization and life expectancy do not when GDP influence is controlled for. After statistically removing the effects of GDP on the prevalence and mortality from COVID-19, we found that countries without ACEI and ARB availability had lower COVID-19 cases and deaths (p < 0.02). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study based on the global data contradicts findings of most published clinical studies at regional levels. We found that GDP positively correlates with prevalence of and mortality related to COVID-19. ACEI and ARB use increases COVID-19 infectivity and mortality.展开更多
Background: Hypertension (HTN) is present in up to 90% of end stage kidney disease (ESRD) patients irrespective of the etiology of their kidney disease. Moreover, it is an important modifiable risk factor for progress...Background: Hypertension (HTN) is present in up to 90% of end stage kidney disease (ESRD) patients irrespective of the etiology of their kidney disease. Moreover, it is an important modifiable risk factor for progression to ESRD and its overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Objective: to evaluate, prospectively, the role of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System blockade (RAAS) in HTN, resistant to 3 conventional antihypertensives, in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Patients and methods: A total of 52 such patients were treated with Ramipril and 5 with Losartan after intolerable cough/shortness of breath following Ramipril-use. None of the patients had fluid depletion, renal artery stenosis and primary endocrinopathy. The study group was compared to a matched control group of MHD patients with normal blood pressure following 3 drugs-combination therapies. Results: All patients, with resistant HTN, had significant activation of RAAS system prior to treatment compared to inactive one in the control group. In those with resistant HTN, control of HTN, was established within 2 weeks of therapy and was associated with suppression of the RAAS. Such therapy was associated with minor side effects. Conclusion: Our study has shown that RAAS blockade is safe and effective in controlling such resistant HTN in MHD patients.展开更多
Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) was first identified and described as a disease by Berger and Hinglais in 1968. It is the most common primary glomerulopathy worldwide [1], most prevalent in East Asians and Caucasi...Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) was first identified and described as a disease by Berger and Hinglais in 1968. It is the most common primary glomerulopathy worldwide [1], most prevalent in East Asians and Caucasians and rare in black individuals. There are four key elements that contribute to IgAN, which determine the severity, course, and prognosis of the disease: circulating IgA immunocomplexes that favor mesangial deposition, the efficiency of the reticuloendothelial system, mesangial cell affinity and reaction to mesangial accumulation of poorly glycosylated IgA1, and the renal tendency to glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Clinical manifestations among patients with IgAN include hematuria, approximately 40% to 50% of cases present with one or more episodes of hematuria, usually preceded by upper respiratory tract infections. Between 30% and 40% present with hematuria and non-nephrotic range proteinuria that may be associated with arterial hypertension and impaired renal function. The TESTING study reveal a significant decrease in outcomes such as the risk of a 40% decrease in glomerular filtration rate or the need for renal replacement therapy in the group treated with steroids. The decrease in renal function compared to the group treated in the previously mentioned STOP-IgAN trial was 4 times less than in the TESTING study. Are we doing enough? Obviously, more trials are required with the use of adequate nephroprotection measures. We present 3 patients with a diagnosis of IgA nephropathy who attend the follow-up consultation and voluntarily decide to take part in the review.展开更多
文摘<strong>Background: </strong>Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin-II receptor blockers (ARBs) have been an arguable risk factor for COVID-19 diseases because they could upregulate Angiotensin Converting Enzyme-2 (ACE2) expression, facilitating SARS-CoV2 entry to the lungs. Several retrospective clinical studies, however, found no such effect. Here, we explore how the use of ACEIs and ARBs links to COVID-19 across all countries of the world.<strong> Methods:</strong> Data on the availability of ACEIs and ARBs for 200 countries and on the number of cases and number of deaths per country by 28 December 2020 were extracted from WHO and Worldometer website, respectively. Data on life expectancy at age 65 years as a measure of ageing were from WHO and on Gross Domestic Product Per Capita (GDP PPP) and the percentage of urbanization were from the World Bank. Excel and SPSS v 26 software were used for statistical analyses.<strong> Results:</strong> In linear regression and logistic conditional regression analysis, GDP correlates with COVID-19 prevalence (rho = 0.66, p > 0.001) and deaths from COVID-19 (rho = 0.55, p < 0.001) while urbanization and life expectancy do not when GDP influence is controlled for. After statistically removing the effects of GDP on the prevalence and mortality from COVID-19, we found that countries without ACEI and ARB availability had lower COVID-19 cases and deaths (p < 0.02). <strong>Conclusions:</strong> Our study based on the global data contradicts findings of most published clinical studies at regional levels. We found that GDP positively correlates with prevalence of and mortality related to COVID-19. ACEI and ARB use increases COVID-19 infectivity and mortality.
文摘Background: Hypertension (HTN) is present in up to 90% of end stage kidney disease (ESRD) patients irrespective of the etiology of their kidney disease. Moreover, it is an important modifiable risk factor for progression to ESRD and its overall cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Objective: to evaluate, prospectively, the role of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System blockade (RAAS) in HTN, resistant to 3 conventional antihypertensives, in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Patients and methods: A total of 52 such patients were treated with Ramipril and 5 with Losartan after intolerable cough/shortness of breath following Ramipril-use. None of the patients had fluid depletion, renal artery stenosis and primary endocrinopathy. The study group was compared to a matched control group of MHD patients with normal blood pressure following 3 drugs-combination therapies. Results: All patients, with resistant HTN, had significant activation of RAAS system prior to treatment compared to inactive one in the control group. In those with resistant HTN, control of HTN, was established within 2 weeks of therapy and was associated with suppression of the RAAS. Such therapy was associated with minor side effects. Conclusion: Our study has shown that RAAS blockade is safe and effective in controlling such resistant HTN in MHD patients.
文摘Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) was first identified and described as a disease by Berger and Hinglais in 1968. It is the most common primary glomerulopathy worldwide [1], most prevalent in East Asians and Caucasians and rare in black individuals. There are four key elements that contribute to IgAN, which determine the severity, course, and prognosis of the disease: circulating IgA immunocomplexes that favor mesangial deposition, the efficiency of the reticuloendothelial system, mesangial cell affinity and reaction to mesangial accumulation of poorly glycosylated IgA1, and the renal tendency to glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Clinical manifestations among patients with IgAN include hematuria, approximately 40% to 50% of cases present with one or more episodes of hematuria, usually preceded by upper respiratory tract infections. Between 30% and 40% present with hematuria and non-nephrotic range proteinuria that may be associated with arterial hypertension and impaired renal function. The TESTING study reveal a significant decrease in outcomes such as the risk of a 40% decrease in glomerular filtration rate or the need for renal replacement therapy in the group treated with steroids. The decrease in renal function compared to the group treated in the previously mentioned STOP-IgAN trial was 4 times less than in the TESTING study. Are we doing enough? Obviously, more trials are required with the use of adequate nephroprotection measures. We present 3 patients with a diagnosis of IgA nephropathy who attend the follow-up consultation and voluntarily decide to take part in the review.
