Skip to main content
Download PDF
- Main
Association of the patterns of use of medications with mortality of COVID-19 infection: a hospital-based observational study
Published Web Location
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050051Abstract
Objectives
SARS-CoV-2 enters cells using the ACE2 receptor. Medications that affect ACE2 expression or function such as angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and ACE inhibitors (ACE-I) and metformin have the potential to counter the dysregulation of ACE2 by the virus and protect against viral injury. Here, we describe COVID-19 survival associated with ACE-I, ARB and metformin use.Design
This is a hospital-based observational study of patients with COVID-19 infection using logistic regression with correction for pre-existing conditions and propensity score weighted Cox proportional hazards models to estimate associations between medication use and mortality.Setting
Medical record data from the US Veterans Affairs (VA) were used to identify patients with a reverse transcription PCR diagnosis of COVID-19 infection, to classify patterns of ACE inhibitors (ACE-I), ARB, beta blockers, metformin, famotidine and remdesivir use, and, to capture mortality.Participants
9532 hospitalised patients with COVID-19 infection followed for 60 days were analysed.Outcome measure
Death from any cause within 60 days of COVID-19 diagnosis was examined.Results
Discontinuation of ACE-I was associated with increased risk of death (OR: 1.4; 95% CI 1.2-1.7). Initiating (OR: 0.3; 95% CI 0.2-0.5) or continuous (OR: 0.6; 95% CI 0.5-0.7) ACE-I was associated with reduced risk of death. ARB and metformin associations were similar in direction and magnitude and also statistically significant. Results were unchanged when accounting for pre-existing morbidity and propensity score adjustment.Conclusions
Recent randomised clinical trials support the safety of continuing ACE-I and ARB treatment in patients with COVID-19 where indicated. Our study extends these findings to suggest a possible COVID-19 survival benefit for continuing or initiating ACE-I, ARB and metformin medications. Randomised trials are appropriate to confirm or refute the therapeutic potential for ACE-I, ARBs and metformin.Many UC-authored scholarly publications are freely available on this site because of the UC's open access policies. Let us know how this access is important for you.
Main Content
For improved accessibility of PDF content, download the file to your device.
Enter the password to open this PDF file:
File name:
-
File size:
-
Title:
-
Author:
-
Subject:
-
Keywords:
-
Creation Date:
-
Modification Date:
-
Creator:
-
PDF Producer:
-
PDF Version:
-
Page Count:
-
Page Size:
-
Fast Web View:
-
Preparing document for printing…
0%