Cough with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors: how much of a problem?

To review the occurrence of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor-related cough, and to examine its impact on the quality of life.

Data from published reports, postmarketing surveillance studies, hospital case series and randomly allocated controlled trials were reviewed. Data are presented from a nested case-control study examining the effects of ACE inhibitor-related cough in 36 subjects compared with 69 controls on various measures of quality of life.

Low rates of ACE inhibitor-related cough were found in postmarketing studies, ranging from 0.1% (early studies) to 3%. Much higher figures were reported from double-blind randomly allocated controlled trials using self-administered questionnaires; the net increase over baseline was between 13 and 25% compared to 2% with the comparator drug. The nested case-control study suggested that the ACE inhibitor-related cough is associated with some deterioration in well-being. During ACE inhibitor treatment the patients tended to be more fatigued (P = 0.1) and depressed (P < 0.05) than controls. Reports of a sore throat increased by 27% (P < 0.01).

Cough is a common side effect of ACE inhibitor treatment, with conservative estimates suggesting that around one in 10 patients treated with an ACE inhibitor will develop a dry persistent cough. Half of these may be withdrawn from treatment. This cough is probably associated with some deterioration in well-being, but larger studies are required to confirm this.