Association between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes: a population-based cross-sectional study.

The widespread use of body weight control agents might be related to liver enzyme elevation, but this potential association has only been documented in a few case reports. This study aimed to investigate the associations between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes at the population-level. We conducted a cross-sectional study using Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data from 2013 to 2019. This study included 36,259 participants over 20 years of age who completed the questionnaire and had no history of hepatitis, cancer, or renal failure. In these participants, we analyzed associations between weight loss agents and elevated liver enzymes by constructing multiple logistic regression models with adjustment for confounding factors and stratified by sex, age, and body mass index. The use of weight loss agents related to liver enzyme elevation in men (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08-1.71) and participants aged less than 40 years (aOR: 1.44, 95% CI: 1.12-1.87). Using more types of weight loss agents was associated with liver enzyme elevation (aOR: 1.31, 95% CI: 1.03-1.67 for 1 weight loss agent, aOR: 1.93, 95% CI: 0.93-3.99 for ≥ 2 weight loss agents). Elevated liver enzymes were associated with the use of traditional medicines (aOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.14-3.34) and dietary supplements (aOR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.72) in men. We observed an association between weight loss agents and liver enzyme elevation in men, particularly for traditional herbal medicines and dietary supplements. To confirm the observed associations, studies higher on the evidence hierarchy are needed.

Suicide Attempts in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An Analysis of the Korean National Health Insurance Database.

Objective: The knowledge of the common risk factors for suicide attempts may not be simply applicable to patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We aimed to identify risk factors associated with suicide attempts in patients with ALS and to determine the annual prevalence and periods of vulnerability associated with attempts.Methods: This nationwide cohort study was performed using the Korean National Health Insurance Database. All patients with ALS concomitantly registered for the Exempted Calculation of Health Insurance for rare, incurable diseases between 2011 and 2017 were identified. We used the Cox proportional hazards regression model and competing risk model to identify the risk factors for suicide attempts. The multivariable models were adjusted for potential risk factors from the univariate analysis.Results: Among 2,955 incident patients, 47 attempted suicide. After adjusting for sex, previous attempts, and previous psychiatric disorders, the hazard ratios for psychiatric hospitalization before ALS diagnosis were 3.17 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31-7.70; P = .01) and 3.02 (95% CI, 1.32-6.90; P = .01) in the Cox regression model and the competing risk model, respectively. The annual prevalence of suicide attempts was 0.29%-1.12%. Twenty (42.6%) and 9 (19.1%) attempts occurred within 3 months and 12-18 months after diagnosis, respectively.Conclusions: Psychiatric hospitalization increased the risk of suicide attempts, which clustered at the early stage or on losing autonomy. Those with a history of psychiatric hospitalization should receive an in-depth evaluation and be cautiously monitored.

The Risk of Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events With Use of Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists in Patients With Asthma: Analysis of Korea's National Health Insurance Sharing Service Database.

BACKGROUND: Montelukast, a selective leukotriene receptor antagonist, is a commonly prescribed allergy medication but its potential association with neuropsychiatric adverse events is concerning. OBJECTIVE: To analyze Korea's National Health Insurance System claims records to identify the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events in patients with asthma treated with montelukast. METHODS: This retrospective population-based study analyzed the National Health Insurance claims records of the entire Korean population between 2008 and 2015. We compared the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events among patients with asthma using inhaled corticosteroids and/or long-acting ß2-agonists with montelukast or pranlukast and those not using leukotriene receptor antagonists (control group). RESULTS: There was no increased risk of the composite outcome of all measured neuropsychiatric adverse events in patients with asthma who were prescribed montelukast or pranlukast compared with those who were not. However, montelukast use was associated with an increased risk of hallucinations (inverse probability treatment weighting hazard ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.07-1.96) and attention problems (inverse probability treatment weighting hazard ratio, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.01-1.52). Significant negative hazards for disorientation, anxiety, stress reactions, and somatic symptoms were observed in the montelukast group. When grouped by sex, the risk of hallucinations and attention problems was higher in men prescribed montelukast compared with the controls. CONCLUSIONS: We did not observe an increase in all neuropsychiatric adverse events in the leukotriene receptor antagonist-treated group; however, an increased risk of hallucinations and attention problems was observed in those taking montelukast, regardless of the medication administration period.

National prescription patterns of antidepressants among patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: An analysis of the Korean National Health Insurance database.

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: The current status of antidepressant use in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), such as the prevalence and factors associated with it, has not been systematically investigated. We aimed to analyze the prevalence and patterns of antidepressant prescriptions in patients with ALS and depression, and to identify factors associated with antidepressant prescriptions after the diagnosis of ALS. METHODS: The data of patients with ALS and the prescription of antidepressants were retrieved from the Korean National Health Insurance claims data. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with antidepressant prescriptions. RESULTS: In total, 533 of 2955 patients had depressive disorders, and 426 were prescribed antidepressants. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and tricyclic antidepressants were the most frequently prescribed drugs. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were 1.379 for the prescription of antidepressants in females. For various age groups, compared with those aged 80 years and older, adjusted ORs were 1.889 for those in their 70s, 2.319 for those in their 60s, 2.872 for those in their 50s, 2.854 for those in their 40s, and 3.363 for those under 40 years of age. Adjusted ORs were 1.662 for patients with a history of a psychiatric disorder and 1.861 for those with a history of psychiatric pharmacotherapy (all P < .05). DISCUSSION: Most patients with ALS who had depression received antidepressant prescriptions. In young females with a previous psychiatric disorder or pharmacotherapy, an in-depth evaluation for a depressive disorder should be performed.

Reasons for the High Cesarean Delivery Rate among Women with Ankylosing Spondylitis: Using the Korean National Health Insurance Database.

OBJECTIVE: Women with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have reported a higher rate of cesarean births than healthy controls. This study aimed to identify factors associated with cesarean births in women with AS. METHODS: Based on the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims database, the subjects comprised female patients aged 20-49 years old with AS. In total, 1293 deliveries after AS diagnosis were included. A logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with cesarean births. RESULTS: Among the 1293 deliveries in women with AS, 657 were cesarean and 636 were vaginal deliveries. Compared to vaginal delivery, the women who had cesarean deliveries were older, had a longer disease duration, and had a higher portion of primipara and dispensation of drugs. These factors were associated with a higher risk of cesarean delivery: maternal age (OR 1.08, 95% CI 1.04-1.12), disease duration (OR 1.09, 95% CI 1.03-1.14), and preeclampsia (OR 3.94, 95% CI 1.17-13.32). Further, compared to no drug dispensation, these drugs showed higher risks of cesarean delivery: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID; OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.31-2.37), tumor necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD), or corticosteroids (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.57-2.58). In the subgroup analysis in primiparas, maternal age, or dispensation of NSAID alone, or TNFi, DMARD, or corticosteroids was associated with a higher risk of cesarean delivery. CONCLUSION: Women with AS showed a higher cesarean delivery rate, influenced by both maternal age and disease-related factors.

Identifying Adverse Events Using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision Y Codes in Korea: A Cross-sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: The use of administrative data is an affordable alternative to conducting a difficult large-scale medical-record review to estimate the scale of adverse events. We identified adverse events from 2002 to 2013 on the national level in Korea, using International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) Y codes. METHODS: We used data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort (NHIS-NSC). We relied on medical treatment databases to extract information on ICD-10 Y codes from each participant in the NHIS-NSC. We classified adverse events in the ICD-10 Y codes into 6 types: those related to drugs, transfusions, and fluids; those related to vaccines and immunoglobulin; those related to surgery and procedures; those related to infections; those related to devices; and others. RESULTS: Over 12 years, a total of 20 817 adverse events were identified using ICD-10 Y codes, and the estimated total adverse event rate was 0.20%. Between 2002 and 2013, the total number of such events increased by 131.3%, from 1366 in 2002 to 3159 in 2013. The total rate increased by 103.9%, from 0.17% in 2002 to 0.35% in 2013. Events related to drugs, transfusions, and fluids were the most common (19 446, 93.4%), followed by those related to surgery and procedures (1209, 5.8%) and those related to vaccines and immunoglobulin (72, 0.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on a comparison with the results of other studies, the total adverse event rate in this study was significantly underestimated. Improving coding practices for ICD-10 Y codes is necessary to precisely monitor the scale of adverse events in Korea.

The risk of herpes zoster in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: Analysis of the Korean National Health Insurance Service - Sample cohort database.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of our study were to determine whether the use of conventional disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (cDMARDs) or tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) inhibitors increase the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: We searched the South Korean National Health Insurance Service - National Sample Cohort Database for relevant patient records between 2002 and 2013. We evaluated the incidence of HZ by categorizing patients into in three treatment groups: disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) nonusers, cDMARD users and TNFα inhibitor users. RESULTS: Incidence rates of HZ was 11.0 per 1000 person-years in patients with AS. The adjusted hazard ratio of HZ was higher in cDMARD and TNFα inhibitor users than in DMARD nonusers. In subgroup analyses, current treatment with a TNFα inhibitor increased the risk of HZ significantly both in female patients and in patients aged 50 years or older, but not in patients taking steroids, compared to DMARD nonusers. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with either TNFα inhibitors or cDMARDs is associated with a higher risk of HZ, especially in female patients and older patients, and these two patient groups could therefore benefit from HZ vaccination.

Risk of motor vehicle collisions associated with medical conditions and medications: rationale and study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Medical conditions and medications may be associated with motor vehicle collisions (MVCs), which pose a major public health problem worldwide. Further epidemiological assessment is necessary for certain diseases and medications. Moreover, since disease aetiology and patterns of medication use may differ among ethnicities and healthcare systems, a population-specific approach is necessary. The present epidemiological study is designed to assess the medical conditions and medications associated with the risk of fatal MVCs among at-fault drivers in the Korean population. METHOD AND DESIGN: A retrospective cohort will be constructed for individuals who died in MVCs between 2005 and 2014 in the Korean Traffic Accident Analysis System database, which is linked to the Korean National Health Insurance database between 2002 and 2014. In order to compare medical conditions and medication use among drivers who died in a fatal MVC with the general population, standardised prevalence ratios will be calculated. In the culpability study, we will identify conditions and drugs associated with MVCs, comparing drivers with higher levels of responsibility to those with lower levels of responsibility. In the case-crossover study, the transient effects of medical conditions and medications will be examined using a conditional logistic regression model that adjusts for confounders. DISCUSSION: The results of this study will help to characterise the associations of diseases and medications with fatal MVCs in an Asian population, with the goal of informing regulatory and clinical decision-making regarding patients with the relevant conditions and the establishment of strategies for improving traffic safety.

Cost-effectiveness of Pharmaceutical Interventions to Prevent Osteoporotic Fractures in Postmenopausal Women with Osteopenia.

BACKGROUND: To assess the cost-effectiveness of drug therapy to prevent osteoporotic fractures in postmenopausal women with osteopenia in Korea. METHODS: A Markov cohort simulation was conducted for lifetime with a hypothetical cohort of postmenopausal women with osteopenia and without prior fractures. They were assumed to receive calcium/vitamin D supplements only or drug therapy (i.e., raloxifene or risedronate) along with calcium/vitamin D for 5 years. The Markov model includes fracture-specific and non-fracture specific health states (i.e. breast cancer and venous thromboembolism), and all-cause death. Published literature was used to determine the model parameters. Local data were used to estimate the baseline incidence rates of fracture in those with osteopenia and the costs associated with each health state. RESULTS: From a societal perspective, the estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) for the base cases that had T-scores between -2.0 and -2.4 and began drug therapy at the age of 55, 60, or 65 years were $16,472, $6,741, and -$13,982 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained, respectively. Sensitivity analyses for medication compliance, risk of death following vertebral fracture, and relaxing definition of osteopenia resulted in ICERs reached to $24,227 per QALY gained. CONCLUSIONS: ICERs for the base case and sensitivity analyses remained within the World Health Organization's willingness-to-pay threshold, which is less than per-capita gross domestic product in Korea (about $25,700). Thus, we conclude that drug therapy for osteopenia would be a cost-effective intervention, and we recommend that the Korean National Health Insurance expand its coverage to include drug therapy for osteopenia.

Utilization patterns of disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs in elderly rheumatoid arthritis patients.

This study was conducted to investigate disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD) utilization in Korean elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We used data from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2006 from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims database. The study subjects were defined as patients aged 65 yr or older with at least two claims with a diagnosis of RA. DMARD use was compared by the patients' age-group, gender, medical service, and geographic divisions. The patterns of DMARD use in mono- and combination therapy were calculated. RA medication use was calculated by the number of defined daily doses (DDD)/1,000 patients/day. A total of 166,388 patients were identified during the study period. DMARD use in RA patients was 12.0%. The proportion of DMARD use was higher in the younger elderly, females, and patients treated in big cities. Hydroxychloroquine was the most commonly used DMARD in monotherapy, and most of the combination therapies prescribed it with methotrexate. DMARD use in elderly RA patients was noticeably low, although drug prescriptions showed an increasing trend during the study period, clinicians may need to pay more attention to elderly RA patients.