title: Angioedema and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: are demographics a risk?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) has become the leading cause of acquired angioedema. Previous studies have suggested that certain patient populations may be at a higher risk for ACEI-induced angioedema. The objective of this study was to evaluate any demographic associations.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective chart review.
  
  
  METHODS
  Angioedema patients from 1999 to 2004 treated at a tertiary care hospital were reviewed. Demographics, inciting factors, and comorbid conditions were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred eighty-two patients met inclusion criteria. Sixty-three percent of patients with angioedema had ACEI triggers. Eighty-one percent of all ACEI angioedema occurred in black patients. Of all angioedema patients, 70% (95% confidence interval [CI], 62%-78%) of black patients noted an ACEI as the inciting agent compared with 44% (95% CI, 30%-59%) in other patient groups. Black patients were 3.03 times more likely to have angioedema from an ACEI than all other patient groups (95% CI, 1.54-5.94).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study represents the largest series of patients with angioedema. Although retrospective in nature, the data show that black patients are at a higher risk for ACEI-induced angioedema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA. Elizabeth.mahoney@bmc.org
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mahoney
authors.forename: Anand K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Devaiah
mesh_terms: D000799:Angioedema / Q000139:chemically induced*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects*; D044383:Black People; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies
chemical_list: D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors