ACE I/D Polymorphism, Plasma ACE Levels, and Long-term Kidney Outcomes or All-Cause Death in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
<b>Objective:</b> The D-allele of <i>ACE</i> I/D polymorphism is a risk factor for diabetic kidney disease. We assessed its contribution to long-term kidney outcomes and all-cause death in patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes. <p><b>Research Design and Methods:</b> 1155 participants from 3 French and Belgian cohorts were followed for a median (interquartile range) duration of 14 (13) years. The primary outcome was the occurrence of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) or a 40% drop in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Secondary outcomes were the individual components of the primary outcome, rapid decline in eGFR (steeper than -3 ml/min/1.73m<sup>2</sup>/year), incident albuminuria, all-cause death, and a composite ESKD or all-cause death. Hazard ratios (HR) for XD versus II genotype and for baseline plasma ACE levels were computed by Cox analysis. Genotype performance in stratifying the primary outcome was tested.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Genotype distribution was 954 XD and 201 II. The primary outcome occurred in 20% of XD and 13% of II carriers: adjusted HR 2.07 (95%CI, 1.32-3.40), p=0.001. Significant associations were also observed for rapid decline in eGFR, incident albuminuria, ESKD, all-cause death, and ESKD or all-cause death. Baseline plasma ACE levels were higher in XD carriers and significantly associated with increased risk of the primary outcome. ACE genotype enhanced net reclassification improvement (0.154, 95%CI 0.007-0.279, p=0.04) and integrated discrimination improvement (0.012, 95%CI 0.001-0.021, p=0.02) for primary outcome stratification.</p> <b>Conclusions:</b> The D-allele of <i>ACE</i> I/D polymorphism was associated with increased risk of major kidney events and all-cause death in patients with long-standing type 1 diabetes.