Table 2 Prevalence ratios for 33 medication classes in the subset of adults with multimorbidity, in 22q11.2DS (median age 38.6 years) compared with the general population (median age 62 years)

From: A genetic model for multimorbidity in young adults

Medication class (ATC level 3)

ATC code

Prevalence ratio (95% CI)b,e

Antipsychotics

N05A

8.4a (6.3–11.3)

Antiepileptics

N03A

4.0a (3.1–5.2)

Antidepressants

N06A

1.9a (1.5–2.3)

Anticholinergic agents

N04A

12.0a,c (1.5–93.5)

Dopaminergic agents

N04B

5.3c (0.6–47.0)

Anxiolytics

N05B

1.0 (0.5–1.9)

Hypnotics and sedatives

N05C

0.5 (0.2–1.5)

Opioidsf

N02A

0.2a (0.04–0.7)

High-ceiling diuretics

C03C

1.4 (0.6–3.2)

Beta blocking agents

C07A

0.8 (0.6–1.2)

Antithrombotic agents

B01A

0.8 (0.4–1.4)

ACE inhibitors, plain

C09A

0.4a (0.2–0.8)

Low-ceiling diuretics, thiazides

C03A

0.2a (0.1–0.8)

Angiotensin II antagonists, plain

C09C

0.2a (0.1–0.6)

Lipid modifying agents, plain

C10A

0.3a (0.2–0.5)

Selective calcium blockers with mainly vascular effects

C08C

0.2a (0.04–0.6)

Angiotensin II antagonists, combinations

C09D

0.0d

Thyroid preparations

H03A

2.2a (1.6–3.0)

Vitamin A and D, including combinations of the two

A11C

5.5a (3.3–9.2)

Blood glucose lowering drugs, excluding insulins

A10B

0.6 (0.3–1.0)

Insulins and analogues

A10A

0.4 (0.1–1.5)

Drugs affecting bone structure and mineralization

M05B

0.1 (0.02–1.1)

Drugs for peptic ulcer and gastroesophageal reflux diseasef

A02B

0.5a (0.3–0.8)

Drugs for constipation

A06A

1.0 (0.4–2.7)

Decongestants and other nasal preparations for topical use

R01A

1.6 (0.8–3.0)

Adrenergics, inhalants

R03A

1.0 (0.6–1.7)

Other drugs for obstructive airway diseases, inhalants

R03B

1.0 (0.5–1.9)

Hormonal contraceptives for systemic use

G03A

5.7a (2.3–14.0)

Urologicals

G04B

1.1 (0.4–3.0)

Drugs used in benign prostatic hypertrophy

G04C

0.5 (0.1–1.8)

Estrogens

G03C

0.2 (0.02–1.2)

Corticosteroids, plaing

D07A

2.1a (1.1–4.3)

Antifungals for topical use

D01A

3.8a (1.2–12.4)

  1. ACE angiotensin-converting enzyme, ATC Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System, CI confidence interval.
  2. aSignificant difference between groups (prevalence ratio and 95% confidence interval calculations; see “Materials and Methods” and Supplemental Methods for details).
  3. bPrevalence ratios were calculated based on medication use within the group with multimorbidity at any age (see “Materials and Methods” for details).
  4. cPrevalence too low to be estimated in the Canadian population, given Statistics Canada security regulations. Thus, to calculate the prevalence ratio and estimate 95% confidence limits, we arbitrarily assigned a 1.0% value (i.e., lowest possible reportable prevalence) that was reportable in the group (age group or multimorbidity group being compared) and a standard error of 1%. For more details, see Supplemental Methods.
  5. dPrevalence equals 0 for the 22q11.2DS population. For the upper 95% confidence limit we used the approximation 3/N.40 Here, 95% CI for the prevalence ratio was not calculable (see Supplemental Methods).
  6. eComparisons for three ATC classes (Other Analgesics and Antipyretics [N02B], Anti-inflammatory…, Non-Steroids [M01A], Calcium [A12A]) were not performed as medications in these classes are commonly available over the counter and thus were excluded from the 22q11.2DS sample.
  7. fPrevalences for these drug classes are likely underestimated for the 22q11.2DS group, since any medications that could have been either over the counter and/or noted to be used “as needed” were excluded.
  8. gPrevalence may be overestimated for the 22q11.2DS population, since medications that could have been available over the counter in this class were assumed to be prescription.