Discontinuation of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors During the Early Stage of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In March and April 2020, medical societies published statements recommending continued use of renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors despite theoretical concerns that these medications could increase COVID-19 severity. Determining if patients discontinued RAS inhibitors during the COVID-19 pandemic could inform responses to future public health emergencies.

Methods

We analyzed claims data from US adults with health insurance in the Marketscan database. We identified patients who filled a RAS inhibitor and were persistent, defined by not having a ≥30-day gap without medication available, and high adherence, defined by having medication available on ≥80% of days, from March 2019 to February 2020. Among these patients, we estimated the proportion who discontinued

SUBMITTER: Muntner P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10267613 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature