A genetic model for multimorbidity in young adults

Area of Science:

• Genetics and Medicine
• Public Health
• Clinical Research

Background:

• Multimorbidity is rising in younger adults, yet remains understudied in this demographic.
• 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) serves as a valuable genetic model for investigating multimorbidity in young to middle-aged adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence and patterns of multimorbidity in adults with 22q11.2DS.
• To compare multimorbidity rates in 22q11.2DS adults with the general population.
• To identify predictors of multimorbidity within the 22q11.2DS cohort.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System to categorize medications.
• Defined multimorbidity as the concurrent use of five or more prescription medications.
• Compared data from 264 adults with 22q11.2DS against a Canadian general population sample (n=25,287) using logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Adults with 22q11.2DS aged 25-44 exhibited significantly higher multimorbidity (34.7%) compared to the general population (2.9% for the same age group, 16.4% for 45-64 year olds).
• Neuropsychiatric and endocrinological medication classes were predominant.
• Older age and psychotic illness predicted multimorbidity in 22q11.2DS, while sex, congenital heart disease, and intellectual disability did not.

Conclusions:

• Adults with 22q11.2DS face a substantial illness burden, with multimorbidity levels akin to much older general population cohorts.
• Identifying specific disease patterns in younger adults with multimorbidity may aid in detecting genetic disorders within large datasets.