Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies on the intolerance of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors

Objectives To identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with switching from an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitor to an angiotensin receptor blocker. Methods Two cohorts of patients starting ACE-inhibitors were identified within the Rotterdam Study in the Netherlands and the Genetics of Diabetes Audit and Research in Tayside Scotland study in Scotland. Cases were intolerant patients who switched from an ACE-inhibitor to an angiotensin receptor blocker and controls were individuals who used ACE-inhibitors continuously for at least 2 years and did not switch. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) using an additive model was run in these sets and the results were meta-analysed using Genome-Wide Association Meta Analysis software. Results A total of 972 cases out of 5161 ACE-inhibitor starters were identified. Eight SNPs within four genes reached the genome-wide association study significance level (