Medication Use and Health Screening in an Ageing Adult Population With Down Syndrome in Ireland: A Descriptive Study

Medications use in adults ageing with Down syndrome (DS) has not been studied extensively. People with DS are at increased risk of hypothyroidism, seizures, and dementia. It is possible that this pattern of multimorbidity is associated with polypharmacy. The aim of this study is to describe the patterns of medical disorders, symptoms, and medications, variation with age and residential setting, and utilization of health screening in an ageing cohort with DS. Data were obtained from wave one (2009/2010) of the Intellectual Disability Supplement to The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing. Information on disorders, symptoms, health screening, and medications was gathered using preinterview questionnaires and face to face interviews with participants and/or caregivers. Of the 721 participants answering the questions about medication use and cause of intellectual disability, 20% had DS (n=144). Descriptive statistics describe the prevalence of disorders and medications and proportion of participants attending health screening for disorders commonly associated with DS. The most commonly reported disorders were eye disease (61.8%), thyroid dysfunction (38.2%), constipation (34.7%) high cholesterol (32.6%), pain (32.1%), and emotional/psychiatric/nervous disorder (25%). The most commonly reported medications were thyroid hormones (43.8%), laxatives (27.1%), pain relievers (27.1%), and lipid modifying agents (26.4%). Polypharmacy, excessive polypharmacy, and multimorbidity were more prevalent among the older group compared to the younger group (37.3% vs. 14.3%; 13.4% vs. 7.8%; 73.1% vs. 58.4%, respectively). Uptake of memory assessments (32.9%), hearing tests (23.8%), and bone density screening (9.2%) was poor, particularly among those living independently, yet general practitioner visits were frequent and extensive. Polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy are prevalent in this population, yet the provision of health care screening is inadequate. Medications review is needed since the risks posed by multiple medications use have not yet been quantified. As people with DS age, support is necessary for health care professionals, people with DS and their carers to help them optimize the use of medications.