Figure 1. Study design diagram.

PPIs, Proton-pump inhibitors; H2RAs, Histamine-2 receptor antagonist; VD, Circulatory diseases. * Treatment episodes were defined by date of dispensing and day’s supply with a stockpiling algorithm if a new dispensing occurred before the end of days’ supply. Gaps of <90 days between end of days’ supply and next dispensing (grace period) were bridged. 90 days was added to the last dispensing days’ supply in an exposure episode. ^ŦCensor was due to discontinuation at grace period = 90 days, death, or switched treatment. ^±Outcomes were ICD-10 related with circulatory diseases; cardio vascular disease, ischemic strokes, and peripheral vascular disease.