The goal of this retrospective cohort study is to determine if Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEIs) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) can lower the risk of post-stroke pneumonia. With an active comparator, new-user design, we selected new users of Calcium Channel Blockers (CCBs) as the reference group to compare against new users of ACEIs/ARBs.
Diagnosis of both stroke and hypertension, with the initial diagnosis dates for both conditions falling within the period from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2024.Definition of Stroke: International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) codes I60-I64, or a primary diagnosis of stroke-related conditions in inpatient/outpatient medical records, including but not limited to: cerebral hemorrhage, hemorrhagic stroke, cerebral infarction, ischemic stroke, cerebral ischemia, brainstem infarction.Definition of Hypertension: ICD-10 code I10, or inpatient/outpatient medical records containing diagnostic names such as hypertension, benign hypertension, hypertensive crisis.
At least one prescription filled from any of the five major classes of antihypertensive medications: Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors (ACEI), Angiotensin II Receptor Blockers (ARB), Beta-blockers, Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB), or Diuretics. Furthermore, there must be no record of any ACEI, ARB, or CCB prescriptions within the 12 months immediately preceding the first ACEI, ARB, or CCB prescription.
Aage ≥18 years.
Data anomalies or errors(such as an inaccurately recorded date of death).
Concurrent use of two or three drug classes among ACEI, ARB, and CCB at any time.
Any recorded diagnosis of pneumonia prior to the initiation of the first antihypertensive medication.Definition of Pneumonia: ICD-10 codes J12-J18 or J69, or inpatient/outpatient medical records containing diagnostic names such as pulmonary infection, pneumonia, lung infection.