ABSTRACT
Objective In this study, we aimed to compare the severity and outcomes in hypertensive patients presenting with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who were taking angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs)/angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) and those who were on other antihypertensive drugs. Methods This retrospective cohort study involved 182 hypertensive patients who presented with COVID-19 infection. The study population comprised 91 patients who were taking ACEIs/ARBs (group A) and 91 patients who were taking other antihypertensive drugs such as ß-blockers (BBs), calcium channel blockers (CCBs), or thiazides (group B). All patients were provided the same type of treatment for the management of COVID-19. We recorded the data related to demographic and anthropometric variables as well as clinical symptoms during the treatment period. Disease severity and hospital mortality were the primary study endpoints. Results There was no significant difference in COVID-19-related outcomes between the groups except for the severity of lung infiltration on chest X-rays. There were 37 (41.1%) patients having >50% lung infiltration in group A and 53 (58.2%) in group B (p-value: 0.02). Severe disease was diagnosed in 37 (40.7%) patients in group A compared to 39 (42.7%) patients in group B (p-value: 0.76). In-hospital mortality was noted in 17 (18.7%) patients in group A and 22 (24.2%) patients in group B (p-value: 0.36). Conclusion Based on our results, we did not find any significant association between the use of ACEIs/ARBs and either the severity of COVID-19 infection necessitating admission to ICU or in-hospital mortality.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Portal hypertension can lead to oesophageal varices (EV) and portal hypertensive gastropathy (PHG). The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between severity of Portal hypertensive gastropathy and size of oesophageal varices. METHODS: One hundred and ninety-five patients of hepatitis C positive chronic liver disease having oesophageal varices were assessed for severity of portal hypertensive gastropathy. RESULTS: Mild Portal Hypertensive Gastropathy was observed in 16 (8.2 %), moderate in 54 (27.7 %) and severe in 120 (61.6 %) patients. Grade 1 Oesophageal Varices were present in 79 (40.5%) patients, grade 2 in 44 (21.9%) patients, grade 3 in 62 (31.8%) and grade 4 in 10 (5.2%) patients. No significant correlation was observed between grades of gastropathy and size of varices. CONCLUSIONS: The frequency of portal hypertensive gastropathy was 97.5% in Hepatitis C positive cirrhotic patients having oesophageal varices. Severity of gastropathy is not related to the grade or size of oesophageal varices.