The I/D variant of the ACE gene affects the clinical characteristics ofCOVID-19 course in intensive care unit patients

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of our study was to investigate the prevalence of the I/D variant of the ACE gene among intensive care unit patients and its potential impact on the course, severity, and mortality of COVID-19. Patients and methods: The study group included 117 patients with severe COVID-19 and 100 with mild COVID-19. All patients underwent testing for the I/D variant of the ACE gene. Results: The genotype frequencies in the group of patients with severe and mild COVID-19 were as follows: II – 23.1% and 20.0%, ID – 50.4% and 52.0%, DD – 26.6% and 28.0%. These frequencies did not significantly differ from each other, nor did they differ in the population frequencies for the Ukrainian population. The study revealed that the level of diuresis in carriers of the ID genotype was significantly higher than that in patients with the II genotype (p = 0.009). Patients with the DD genotype had prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time compared with those with the ID genotype (p = 0.023). Conclusions: The I/D variant of the ACE gene is associated with certain clinical indicators in severe COVID-19 patients, but no significant relationship was found with severity or mortality.