Variables influencing patient satisfaction for hypnotics: difference between zolpidem and brotizolam.
OBJECTIVE
The pharmacokinetics of zolpidem and brotizolam is affected by gender and age, that is, increased clearance in males taking zolpidem and younger subjects taking brotizolam. The purpose of this study was to determine the variables including gender and age influencing patient satisfaction for hypnotics, zolpidem and brotizolam.


METHODS
The study included 329 patients who were treated with zolpidem (n = 172) and brotizolam (n = 157) for insomnia. Patients were interviewed to evaluate individual satisfaction and drug efficacy. The factors associated with dissatisfaction of zolpidem and brotizolam were identified using multiple logistic analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
Of the participating patients, 40 (23%) and 41 (26%) complained of dissatisfaction with zolpidem and brotizolam, respectively. An insufficient amount of sleep (<6 h) and the number of awakenings were common factors cited for dissatisfaction for both drugs. Males were found to report a higher rate of dissatisfaction for zolpidem, whereas patients younger than 65 years and those receiving corticosteroid therapy reported a higher rate of dissatisfaction with brotizolam.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggested that patient satisfaction was different between zolpidem and brotizolam in terms of gender for zolpidem and age and corticosteroid co-administration for brotizolam, which could be used to help choose a better drug among the two in patients with insomnia.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Graduate School of Comprehensive Human Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.
T
T
Hosono
M
M
Homma
M
M
Satoh
Y
Y
Kohda
D000367:Age Factors; D001381:Azepines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011725:Pyridines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012737:Sex Factors; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000077334:Zolpidem
D001381:Azepines; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D011725:Pyridines; C020960:brotizolam; D000077334:Zolpidem
ageing; brotizolam; gender; hypnotics; patient satisfaction; zolpidem