Which group has a heightened risk of angioedema when treated with ACE inhibitors?

Which group has a heightened risk of angioedema when treated with ACE inhibitors?

• A. Caucasians
• B. Hispanics
• C. Asians
• D. African-Americans

Answer: (D)

Individuals of African-American descent have been shown to have a heightened risk of angioedema when treated with ACE inhibitors. This increased susceptibility is thought to be due to genetic factors that influence the metabolism and function of these medications, leading to an elevated likelihood of adverse reactions such as angioedema. ACE inhibitors can cause angioedema due to the accumulation of bradykinin, which is not effectively broken down in individuals who may have genetic variations in the enzymes responsible for this degradation. African-American patients often have distinct genetic polymorphisms that affect how their bodies respond to these medications, contributing to the increased incidence of angioedema compared to other ethnic groups. In contrast, while angioedema can occur in any patient taking ACE inhibitors, the comparative frequency in other ethnic groups such as Caucasians, Hispanics, and Asians does not reach the same levels of heightened risk associated with African-American patients. This underscores the importance of assessing patient backgrounds and possible genetic predispositions when prescribing ACE inhibitors.

Individuals of African-American descent have been shown to have a heightened risk of angioedema when treated with ACE inhibitors. This increased susceptibility is thought to be due to genetic factors that influence the metabolism and function of these medications, leading to an elevated likelihood of adverse reactions such as angioedema.

ACE inhibitors can cause angioedema due to the accumulation of bradykinin, which is not effectively broken down in individuals who may have genetic variations in the enzymes responsible for this degradation. African-American patients often have distinct genetic polymorphisms that affect how their bodies respond to these medications, contributing to the increased incidence of angioedema compared to other ethnic groups.

In contrast, while angioedema can occur in any patient taking ACE inhibitors, the comparative frequency in other ethnic groups such as Caucasians, Hispanics, and Asians does not reach the same levels of heightened risk associated with African-American patients. This underscores the importance of assessing patient backgrounds and possible genetic predispositions when prescribing ACE inhibitors.