Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Feb 19, 2025 1 day, 19 hours, 31 minutes ago
Medical News: A team of researchers from Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China has conducted a comprehensive study to determine the impact of commonly used blood pressure medications - angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) - on COVID-19 patients. Their findings provide crucial insights into whether these medications influence mortality rates, disease severity, or healthcare resource utilization.
Researchers Investigate Common Blood Pressure Medications in COVID-19 Patients
A Large-Scale Analysis of Medical Data
This
Medical News report highlights a meta-analysis involving 41 research papers that examined data from thousands of patients. Researchers used statistical models to evaluate how ACEIs and ARBs affected COVID-19 patients compared to those who did not take these medications. The study aimed to resolve conflicting reports on whether these drugs, which are widely prescribed for hypertension and heart disease, could worsen COVID-19 outcomes or provide any protective benefits.
Key Findings of the Study
After thoroughly analyzing patient outcomes, the researchers concluded that taking ACEIs or ARBs did not significantly impact the risk of death, severity of illness, or hospital resource usage in COVID-19 patients. Key findings include:
-Mortality Rates: Patients on ACEIs or ARBs showed no significant difference in the likelihood of death compared to those not taking these medications. The study’s statistical results (OR = 1.10, p = 0.43) indicated no direct correlation between these drugs and increased mortality risk.
-Severity of Disease: The number of patients requiring intensive care unit (ICU) admission was not significantly different between those taking ACEIs/ARBs and those who were not (OR = 0.99, p = 0.98).
-Hospital Stay Duration: The length of hospital stay for patients using these medications was nearly identical to that of patients who did not take them, suggesting no additional strain on healthcare resources.
What This Means for Patients and Doctors
One of the most important takeaways from the study is that continuing ACEIs or ARBs during a COVID-19 infection is generally safe. Early in the pandemic, concerns arose that these medications might increase the risk of severe illness by affecting ACE2 receptors, which the virus uses to enter human cells. However, this research reinforces that there is no need to stop taking these medications out of fear of worsening COVID-19 outcomes. In fact, for many patients with hypertension and heart disease, stopping these drugs could lead to other health complications.
How the Research Was Conducted
The study included a wide range of data sources from databases such as PubMed, Science, Springer, and Web of Science. The researchers meticulously selec
ted studies based on strict inclusion criteria, ensuring only high-quality data was used. Using advanced statistical models, including the Mantel - Haenszel odds ratio and inverse variance methods, they evaluated key indicators of health outcomes.
The Conclusion
Based on this extensive analysis, the study confirms that ACEIs and ARBs are not associated with higher mortality, increased disease severity, or greater hospital resource consumption among COVID-19 patients. These findings should reassure both patients and healthcare professionals that continuing these medications is a safe and responsible medical practice. The study supports the broader scientific consensus that these drugs do not worsen COVID-19 outcomes and should remain part of standard treatment for those who need them.
The study findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal: Advances in Respiratory Medicine.
https://www.mdpi.com/2543-6031/93/1/4
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Read Also:
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/commonly-used-blood-pressure-medications-such-as-ace-inhibitors-aceis-or-angiotensin-receptor-blockers-arbs-safe-for-covid-19-patients
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/new-insights-from-an-experimental-study-on-the-hypertension-drug-lisinopril-and-covid-19
https://www.thailandmedical.news/news/covid-19-drugs-new-in-vitro-study-shows-that-the-high-blood-pressure-drug-losartan-inhibits-sars-cov-2-replication
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