Does Race Predispose to Angiotensin-Associated Angioneurotic Edema?
IN RESPONSE: The observation of Drs. Brown and Nadeau is interesting. As they note, the data are insufficient to confirm the observed disparity in the incidence of ACE inhibitor-induced angioneurotic edema between blacks and whites. Angioneurotic edema was not one of the adverse effects reported in a study of 112 black patients with hypertension who were treated with captopril [1]. We agree with Drs. Brown and Nadeau that rigorous pharmacoepidemiologic studies are needed to confirm or refute their observation. It appears that women are at a greater risk for the development of angioneurotic edema from ACE inhibitors [2]. We suggest that all subsequent reports of angioneurotic edema associated with ACE inhibitors should include the race of the patients.
