The current practice of using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers in diabetic hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients: Is there a room for vitamin D?

Authors

• Hatouf H. Sukkarieh, From the Department of Pharmacology (Sukkarieh), from the Department of Operations & Project Management (Bustami), from the College of Medicine (Abdu, Khokhar), from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Abdalla), Alfaisal University, Riyadh; and from the from the Department of Internal Medicine (Salih), Almana General Hospital, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Rami T. Bustami, From the Department of Pharmacology (Sukkarieh), from the Department of Operations & Project Management (Bustami), from the College of Medicine (Abdu, Khokhar), from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Abdalla), Alfaisal University, Riyadh; and from the from the Department of Internal Medicine (Salih), Almana General Hospital, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Manasik N. Abdu, From the Department of Pharmacology (Sukkarieh), from the Department of Operations & Project Management (Bustami), from the College of Medicine (Abdu, Khokhar), from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Abdalla), Alfaisal University, Riyadh; and from the from the Department of Internal Medicine (Salih), Almana General Hospital, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Ayesha A. Khokhar, From the Department of Pharmacology (Sukkarieh), from the Department of Operations & Project Management (Bustami), from the College of Medicine (Abdu, Khokhar), from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Abdalla), Alfaisal University, Riyadh; and from the from the Department of Internal Medicine (Salih), Almana General Hospital, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Amir A. Salih, From the Department of Pharmacology (Sukkarieh), from the Department of Operations & Project Management (Bustami), from the College of Medicine (Abdu, Khokhar), from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Abdalla), Alfaisal University, Riyadh; and from the from the Department of Internal Medicine (Salih), Almana General Hospital, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Hana K. Abdalla, From the Department of Pharmacology (Sukkarieh), from the Department of Operations & Project Management (Bustami), from the College of Medicine (Abdu, Khokhar), from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology (Abdalla), Alfaisal University, Riyadh; and from the from the Department of Internal Medicine (Salih), Almana General Hospital, Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the current pattern of using angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) in diabetic nephropathy (DN), and assess physician awareness of using vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of DN. Methods: A cross-sectional study implementing a validated questionnaire, which was distributed to physicians in the aforementioned specialties in 3 hospitals in Saudi Arabia (Almanee Hospital, King Saud Medical City [KSMC], and Riyadh Care Hospital [RCH]) between April 2019 and November 2019. We used IBM SPSS 26.0 to perform descriptive statistical analyses and comparisons were based on the Chi-square test. Results: Forty-one physicians (30%) reported the use of combination therapy of ACEi and ARBs. Fifty-six (41%) physicians reported that they never used vitamin D in the treatment of DN, and 48% agreed that vitamin D can benefit patients with DN. 52% of the respondents reported the existence of guidelines. The vast majority (94%) recommended clearer guidelines on monitoring renal function in patients treated with ACEi or ARBs. Conclusion: There is a universal agreement among physicians regarding the use of ACEi and ARBs for the treatment of DN with limited awareness of the benefits of using vitamin D. Hence, the development of specific guidelines for its use are recommended.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

1083

Last Page

1089

Recommended Citation

Sukkarieh, Hatouf H.; Bustami, Rami T.; Abdu, Manasik N.; Khokhar, Ayesha A.; Salih, Amir A.; and Abdalla, Hana K. (2020) "The current practice of using angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers in diabetic hypertensive and non-hypertensive patients: Is there a room for vitamin D?," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 41: Iss. 10, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2020.10.25428