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Trends in prescriptions for sedative–hypnotics among Korean adults: a nationwide prescription database study for 2011–2015

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Abstract

Purpose

This study investigated prescriptions for sedative–hypnotics via data obtained from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) service.

Methods

Data on sedative–hypnotic prescriptions from the HIRA service of the Republic of Korea were analyzed from 2011 to 2015. We included prescriptions for subjects > 18 years of age from hospitals and community healthcare centers. In addition, subgroup analyses with a subsample restricted to prescriptions from patients with diagnostic codes F510 (nonorganic insomnia) or G470 (insomnia) were performed. After analyzing the number of prescriptions by individual pharmacy items, the prescription codes were grouped as: (1) benzodiazepines; (2) non-benzodiazepines, including zolpidem; (3) antidepressants; and (4) antipsychotics. We calculated the monthly percent change in the number of prescriptions by drug group using Joinpoint regression.

Results

Among the sedative–hypnotic groups, benzodiazepines were the most commonly prescribed drugs in Korea during the study period. As a single sedative–hypnotic item, zolpidem was the most frequently prescribed medication for patients with insomnia. Prescriptions for all groups of sedative–hypnotics increased significantly during the study period. When stratified by age group, antipsychotic prescriptions increased significantly by 0.19–0.21% per month among men and women aged 50–59 years and > 70 years. Prescriptions for antidepressants in 30–39-year-old men increased significantly by 0.20%.

Conclusions

Benzodiazepine prescriptions as well as those for antipsychotics and antidepressants to treat insomnia increased during 2011–2015 in Korea. Monitoring the use of sedative–hypnotics at the national level is necessary, especially in the elderly population.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the research fund of the Mental Health Technology Development Project (Project No. HM15C1197).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Mi Hyun Lee

  2. Department of Psychiatry, Center for Sleep and Chronobiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Jae-Won Choi, Seong Min Oh & Yu Jin Lee

  3. Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Joonki Lee & Aesun Shin

  4. Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea

    Sun Jae Jung

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  1. Mi Hyun Lee
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Correspondence to Sun Jae Jung or Yu Jin Lee.

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On behalf of all of the authors, the corresponding author states that there are no conflicts of interest.

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Lee, M.H., Choi, JW., Lee, J. et al. Trends in prescriptions for sedative–hypnotics among Korean adults: a nationwide prescription database study for 2011–2015. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 54, 477–484 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1615-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-018-1615-x

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