16 Nov Long Term ACEIs May Reduce Risk of ALS
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Charles Tzu Chi Lee, PhD
Associate Prof., Department of Public Health
Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
Sanmin District, Kaohsiung City Taiwan
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Lee: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease and most patients die within three to five years after symptoms appear. Studies have suggested angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) may decrease the risk for developing neurodegenerative diseases. But there was still no human study discussing ACEIs use and ALS risk in literature. The study results indicate that when compared with patients who did not use ACEIs, the risk reduction was 17 percent (adjusted odds ratio of 0.83) for the group prescribed ACEIs lower than 449.5 cumulative defined daily dose (cDDD) and 57 percent (adjusted odds ratio 0.43) for the group prescribed ACEIs greater than 449.5 cDDD.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Lee: The findings in this total population-based case-control study revealed that long-term exposure to ACEIs was inversely associated with the risk for developing ALS.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Lee: This was an observational population-based study, and hence, more animal and clinical studies are required to assess the possibility of using ACEIs for treating ALS.
 Citation:
Last Updated on November 16, 2014 by Marie Benz MD FAAD