title: Higher systemic antibiotic consumption in a population of South Korea (2008 - 2009).
abstract: This study was conducted to investigate overall systemic antibiotic consumption levels and specific patterns using standardized Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (ATC/DDD) methodology. National Health Insurance claims data during 2008 and 2009 was used. Antibiotic prescription data was classified using the ATC system and converted into DDD. Consumption figures were presented as the number of DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day (DID). Detailed information on indications and seasonal variations, age and institutional determinants on antibiotic consumption were also explored. Total consumption was slightly increased from 24.3 to 25.2 DID in 2009 compared to 2008. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic was amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (5.1 and 5.2 DID, in 2008 and 2009, respectively), followed by cefaclor (3.0 and 3.3 DID) and amoxicillin (3.3 and 3.2 DID). Respiratory system diseases were the main causes of antimicrobial prescription (47.3%) and acute forms of bronchitis, tonsillitis and sinusitis were the most common diseases. There were typical seasonal fluctuations with heightened winter peaks. Consumption figures under 5 years of age (41.6 and 43.3 DID) were even higher than figures in aged 65 - 80 (36.2 and 39.1 DID). Antibiotic consumption in South Korea remained high compared with other OECD countries. Efforts to increase prudent antibiotic use, especially for upper respiratory system infections and for younger children, should be made to decrease antibiotic use.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Sookmyung Women's University.
authors.forename: Hyun Soon
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Sohn
authors.forename: Ock Hee
authors.initials: OH
authors.lastname: Oh
authors.forename: Jin-Won
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Young Sook
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004333:Drug Administration Routes; D011307:Drug Prescriptions / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017723:Drug Utilization Review; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007356:Insurance, Pharmaceutical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012621:Seasons; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents