Don't forget angio-edema associated with ACE inhibiton

Fitzharris and Jordan report that angio-oedema occurs in 0.1-0.7% of all patients taking angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.1 In 2002 my coworkers and I evaluated the prevalence of angio-oedema in patients in our allergy clinic and the use of ACE inhibitors by those with angio-oedema.2 The prevalence of angio-oedema was higher (2.2%) than that reported by Fitzharris and Jordan and the use of ACE inhibitors was 7.9%, which is much lower than that reported by Banerji et al in 2008.3 Theirs was a multicentre study of the prevalence of angio-oedema induced by ACE inhibitors in all patients presenting with angio-oedema to five emergency departments during 2003-5. The frequency was 28%, 31%, and 31%, respectively.