Cough is a common side effect of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) therapy. The incidence of ACEi-induced cough has been shown to correlate with genetic variation among different populations. This study aimed to determine the association of candidate genetic polymorphisms with ACEi-induced cough among Filipinos. Two hundred twenty (220) participants on ACEi therapy pressure-lowering in an unmatched case-control study (82 cases with ACEi-induced cough and 138 controls). Genomic DNA samples were extracted and genotyped for selected genetic variants. The association of genetic variants and clinical factors with ACEi-induced cough was determined using regression analyses. Univariate logistic regression showed that the BAG6 variant rs805303 is nominally associated with ACEi-induced cough among Filipinos, at a per-comparison error rate (PCER) of 0.05 (OR 2.10, p = 0.016). The association of the variant with ACEi cough was statistically significant after multiple regression analysis (adjusted OR 2.09, p = 0.022) while adjusting for confounding clinical factors (sex, alcohol intake, and diastolic blood pressure). Further studies are needed to validate these findings.

Constituting one of the most commonly used antihypertensive drug families are the angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs). The aim of this study was to identify the variants associated with response to ARBs that may potentially be used as markers for designing a tailor-fit treatment strategy for hypertension. An unmatched case-control study was done among adult hypertensive Filipino patients maintained on ARBs. Genotypic analysis of blood DNA was conducted. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine association of clinical and genetic variables with ARB response. A total of 69 poor responders and 126 normal responders were included in the study. After performing univariate logistic regression, five single nucleotide polymorphisms showed association with poor response to ARBs. The genetic variant rs6596140 remained significant (dominant model; OR 2.36, p = 0.009) after adjusting for female sex and age. Variant rs6596140 was found to be associated with poor response to ARBs among Filipinos. Prior to clinical application, verification is recommended prior to clinical application. As the function of this variant is presently unknown, an investigation to elucidate its role in ARB response in hypertension is also recommended.

Genetics is an important component in the development of coronary artery disease (CAD); however, studies on the Filipino population are lacking. This study aimed to determine the association of polymorphisms with the development of CAD among Filipinos. This is an ageand sex-matched case-control association study involving 122 adult Filipinos with CAD and 230 control participants without CAD. DNA from blood samples were genotyped for candidate single‐nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) using Illumina GoldenGate Genotyping (GGGT) assay. Candidate variants and clinical data were correlated with the occurrence of CAD using chi-square and logistic regression analysis. Of the candidate variants analyzed, only rs17465637 in MIA3 (adjusted OR 2.38; p = 0.024) was found to have a nominal association with the development of CAD among Filipinos after adjusting for hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and smoking status. This finding may potentially allow earlier identification of Filipino patients at risk for CAD. Validation of these findings in a larger cohort is recommended.