Prescribing patterns of the four most commonly used sedatives in endoscopic examination in Korea: propofol, midazolam, diazepam, and lorazepam

Comparative Safety Profiles of Sedatives Commonly Used in Clinical Practice: A 10-Year Nationwide Pharmacovigilance Study in Korea

This study aims to compare the prevalence and seriousness of adverse events (AEs) among sedatives used in critically ill patients or patients undergoing invasive procedures and to identify factors associated with serious AEs. Retrospective cross-sectional analysis of sedative-related AEs voluntarily reported to the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System from 2008 to 2017 was performed. All AEs were grouped using preferred terms and System Organ Classes per the World Health Organization-Adverse Reaction Terminology. Logistic regression was performed to identify factors associated with serious events. Among 95,188 AEs, including 3132 (3.3%) serious events, the most common etiologic sedative was fentanyl (58.8%), followed by pethidine (25.9%). Gastrointestinal disorders (54.2%) were the most frequent AEs. The most common serious AE was heart rate/rhythm disorders (33.1%). Serious AEs were significantly associated with male sex; pediatrics; etiologic sedative with etomidate at the highest risk, followed by dexmedetomidine, ketamine, and propofol; polypharmacy; combined sedative use; and concurrent use of corticosteroids, aspirin, neuromuscular blockers, and antihistamines (reporting odds ratio > 1, p < 0.001 for all). Sedative-induced AEs are most frequently reported with fentanyl, primarily manifesting as gastrointestinal disorders. Etomidate is associated with the highest risk of serious AEs, with the most common serious events being heart rate/rhythm disorders.

Impacts of age and sedation on cardiocerebrovascular adverse events after diagnostic GI endoscopy: a nationwide population-based study

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Data are limited regarding the impact of age and sedation on cardiocerebrovascular disease (CCD) adverse events after GI endoscopy. We investigated the incidence of and risk factors for CCD adverse events after diagnostic GI endoscopy and the impact of age and sedation on these unfavorable outcomes.

METHODS

In this nationwide population-based study, the incidence of and risk factors for newly diagnosed CCD within 14 days after diagnostic endoscopy were analyzed using Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data from January to December 2015.

RESULTS

Among 1,943,150 subjects, CCD adverse events occurred in approximately 2.23% within 14 days after endoscopy. According to the performance of sedation during endoscopy (60.1% nonsedation vs 39.9% sedation, midazolam alone [96.4%]), the incidence rates of CCD adverse events (per 10,000 persons) were 275.8 versus 302.8 for EGD, 116.9 versus 143.8 for colonoscopy, and 230.4 versus 243.2 for EGD + colonoscopy, respectively. On multivariate analysis, older age (70-99 years) and sedation were independent risk factors for CCD adverse events. Regarding CCD risk stratified by age and sedation, older age had a significant impact on CCD adverse events in individuals who underwent EGD only or EGD + colonoscopy, but sedation did not. However, both older age and sedation had considerable influence on CCD adverse events in individuals who underwent colonoscopy only. Sedation during endoscopy was significantly associated with minor but not major CCD adverse events. CCD adverse events were significantly higher for inpatients.

CONCLUSION

CCD adverse events after diagnostic endoscopy were significantly frequent in individuals with older age (70-99 years) and/or sedation during endoscopy. Stratification by age and sedation shows that the impact of these 2 factors on CCD adverse events differs according to endoscopy type.

Factors Affecting Recovery Time after Sedation for Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

The purpose of this study was to investigate factors affecting recovery time after sedation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. The study population included 1310 patients in the national gastric cancer screening program who received sedation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy from April 15, 2015 to December 31, 2018. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify factors related to recovery time. The mean recovery time after examination was 51.2 minutes (SD=13.3). Patients with a history of hypertension had a recovery time 2.59 minutes shorter than that of patients without hypertension (p=0.006, Bonferroni-corrected p=0.108). Patients with a history of stroke had a recovery time 9.41 minutes longer than that of patients without stroke (p=0.007, Bonferroni-corrected p=0.124). Patients who received 3 mg midazolam had a recovery time 2.99 minutes longer than that of patients received 2 mg (p=0.001, Bonferroni-corrected p=0.010), and patients who received less than 6 cc of propofol had a recovery time 2.90 minutes longer than those that of patients received 7-12 cc of propofol (p<0.001, Bonferroni-corrected p=0.005). These results suggest that receiving high doses of midazolam and having a history of stroke are associated with longer recovery times. Patients meeting these criteria should be managed carefully after sedation for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

Oral Lorazepam is not Superior to Placebo for Lowering Stress in Children Before Digestive Endoscopy: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

Digestive endoscopies must be performed within a safe and comfortable environment. We have previously shown that the quality of intravenous sedation is influenced by preoperative stress.

AIM

Our primary objective was to compare the effects of oral lorazepam and placebo on the salivary cortisol response of children undergoing a digestive endoscopy. Secondary objectives were the assessment of procedural pain and comfort as well as the occurrence of adverse events.

METHODS

Participants were randomized and received either lorazepam, placebo, or no premedication. Saliva was collected upon arrival at the hospital and 1 h following randomization. The sedation protocol included midazolam and fentanyl ± ketamine. Procedural pain was evaluated with the Nurse Assessed Patient Comfort Score (NAPCOMS). Patients completed a postoperative questionnaire. The primary outcome was defined as the proportion of children having a cortisol decrease ≥ 15 nmol/L.

RESULTS

101 participants (54 females) were included. The rate of children having a cortisol decrease ≥ 15 nmol/L was 27.3%, 35.3%, and 19.4% for lorazepam, placebo, and no premedication, respectively (p = 0.356). The median (IQR) NAPCOMS pain score was 3.0 (0-6) for lorazepam, 4.4 (0-6) for placebo, and 3.4 (3-4) for no premedication (p = 0.428). With lorazepam, 75.9% of children reported experiencing a comfortable procedure, compared with 41.9% taking placebo and 34.5% with no premedication (p = 0.013). Transient tachycardia was the most frequent intraoperative adverse event, particularly with lorazepam (62.5%, p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Oral lorazepam had no effect on patients' preoperative stress, as measured by salivary cortisol, but was associated with a higher rate of comfortable procedures.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov, Identifier NCT03180632.

Increase in the prescription rate of antidepressants after the Sewol Ferry disaster in Ansan, South Korea

BACKGROUND

Previous pharmaco-epidemiological studies have reported increases in the prescription of psychotropic medications after a disaster, reflecting post-disaster changes in psychiatric conditions and mental health service utilization. We investigated changes in the prescription of psychotropic medications in the Danwon district of Ansan city (Ansan Danwon) compared to a control community before and after the Sewol Ferry disaster on April 16, 2014.

METHODS

Data was collected from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. We analyzed the prescription rates of psychotropic medications including antidepressants, anxiolytics, and sedatives/hypnotics, and investigated whether the time-series pattern of monthly prescriptions per 100,000 people was different in Ansan Danwon compared to that in Cheonan city after the Sewol Ferry disaster through difference-in-differences regression analysis.

RESULTS

Ansan Danwon showed a significantly greater increase (5.6%) in the prescription rate of antidepressants compared to Cheonan city following the Sewol Ferry disaster. There were no significant differences in changes in the prescription rates of anxiolytics or sedatives/hypnotics. In the secondary analysis, a significantly greater increase in the prescription rate of antipsychotics was observed in Ansan Danwon compared to a control community after the disaster.

LIMITATIONS

We could not exclude the possibility that other events influenced changes in the prescription rates of psychotropic medications during the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

Pharmaco-epidemiological studies on psychotropic medication prescription after a disaster provide important information about population-level mental health. Our results suggest that the Sewol Ferry disaster exerted a harmful effect on the mental health status of the affected community.

Survey of Anxiety in Ordinary Workers and Doctors Regarding Sedative Use during Endoscopic Examination in the Seoul Metropolitan Area

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Sedative use is common in endoscopic examinations. The anxiety regarding sedative use may be different between doctors and nonmedical individuals.

METHODS

A questionnaire survey was conducted by a research company (DOOIT Survey), and responses were collected from 649 doctors and 1,738 individuals who perform typical jobs in nonmedical fields. In this study, these ordinary workers are considered to represent nonmedical individuals. Anxiety was measured using a 5-point Likert scale.

RESULTS

The nonmedical individuals exhibited more anxiety regarding the sedative use than the doctors. Age <40 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.27; p<0.001), female sex (OR, 1.62; p=0.002), experience of an adverse event (OR, 1.79; p=0.049), and insufficient explanation (OR, 2.05; p<0.001) were the significant factors that increased the anxiety of the nonmedical individuals. The doctors who experienced a sedative-related adverse event reported increased anxiety compared with the doctors who did not report this experience (OR, 1.73; p=0.031).

CONCLUSIONS

Anxiety regarding sedative use during an endoscopic examination was significantly different between doctors and non-medical individuals. A younger age, female sex, an adverse event, and insufficient explanation affect the anxiety of nonmedical individuals. An adverse event also affects the anxiety of doctors.