Effect of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System inhibitors on outcomes of COVID-19 patients with hypertension: Systematic review and Meta-analysis

Beressa, T. B.; Sahilu, T.; Deyno, S.

Objective: This research aimed to systematically review and summarize the influence of Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System (RAAS) inhibitors on the outcome of COVID_19 patients with hypertension. Methods: Electronic databases; PubMed/Medline, CINAHL, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, clinical trial.gov, and Google Scholar were searched from 2019 to June 1, 2020. Additionally, the references of identified articles were also searched. Results: A total of 9 articles comprising 3,823 patients were incorporated; 1416 patients on RAAS inhibitors and 3469 on non-RAAS inhibitors. The study demonstrated that the taking of RAAS inhibitors in COVID_19 patients with hypertension significantly reduced mortality where patients on RAAS inhibitors had a 27% decrease of mortality (RR= 0.73 [95% CI: 0.63- 0.85, p<0.0001, I2=0%, random-effects model]) compared to those not taking ACEI/ARB. No significant association were observed in disease severity (RR= 0.92 (95% CI: 0.74- 1.14) and hospitalization (WMD= -2.33[95% CI: -5.60, 0.75]), random-effects model. Conclusion: This study supports RAAS inhibitors safe use among COVID_19 patients with hypertension. Keywords: COVID_19, ACEI, ARB, Hypertension, Coronavirus