ABSTRACT
Introduction: The respiratory tract infections (RTIs), including pneumonia, influenza and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), are the leading cause of hospitalization and mortality worldwide, contributing to elevated healthcare and societal costs. There is conflicting evidences about the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) on the susceptibility of RTIs. Method(s): Systematic review of interventional and observational studies that reported use of ACEI or/and ARB on incidence of pneumonia or influenza or COVID-19. Searching was conducted in the databases of PubMed, Excerpta Medica Database (Embase), Web of Science, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), including the Cochrane Library until April 2022, and references of retrieved relevant articles. We assessed the quality of included studies by using Cochrane Collaboration Risk of Bias tool for Randomized Controlled Trials and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale for observational studies. DerSimonian Laird random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to pool effects for the incidence of pneumonia, influenza and COVID-19. Subgroup analyses were carried according to baseline morbidities (hypertension or cardiovascular diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, chronic kidney disease (CKD) and other non-communicable diseases). Pooled estimates of odds ratios (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were computed, and heterogeneity among studies was assessed using Cochran's Q test and the I2 metrics, with two tailed P values. Result(s): 73 studies met the inclusion criteria, of which 38 studies assessed the odds of pneumonia, 32 studies assessed Covid-19 and 3 studies assessed influenza. The quality of included studies was moderate. Use of ACEIs was associated with a significantly reduced odds of pneumonia (23 studies: OR 0.74, 95% CI 0.64 to 0.85;I2=76.8%), of COVID-19 (24 studies: OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.82 to 0.92;I2=81.9%) and influenza (3 studies: OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.98, I2=97.7%), compared with control treatment. Use of ARBs was also associated with reduced odds of COVID-19 (25 studies: OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.97;I2=91.9%), but not with odds of pneumonia or influenza. These findings remain consistent in the community population, patients with history of cerebrovascular diseases or cardiovascular diseases, but not in those with CKD, diabetes and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Conclusion(s): The current evidence favours a putative protective role of ACEIs, not ARB in odds of pneumonia, COVID-19 and influenza. Patient populations that may benefit most are those within the community, history of cerebrovascular diseases and cardiovascular diseases. No conflict of interestCopyright © 2023