New Dementia Data Have Been Reported by Researchers at National Health Insurance Service (Central Nervous System Medication Use Among Older Adults in Korean Long-Term Care Facilities: A Multilevel Analysis): Neurodegenerative Diseases and Conditions – Dementia

2026 MAR 02 (NewsRx) -- By a News Reporter-Staff News Editor at South Korea Daily Report -- Researchers detail new data in Neurodegenerative Diseases and Conditions - Dementia. According to news reporting originating from Wonju, South Korea, by NewsRx correspondents, research stated, “To analyze factors influencing central nervous system (CNS) medication use among older adults residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities in South Korea, considering both individual- and facility-level factors. Cross-sectional study using nationwide claim data from the National Health Insurance Service.”

Our news editors obtained a quote from the research from National Health Insurance Service, “The study included 134,718 adults aged 65 years and older who received outpatient prescriptions while residing in 4153 LTC facilities across South Korea in 2023. Multilevel logistic regression analysis was conducted using generalized linear mixed-effects models to examine associations of individual- and facility-level variables with CNS medication use. Among residents who received outpatient prescriptions, 86.2% had used CNS medications. Individual-level factors associated with higher CNS medication use included male sex (odds ratio [OR], 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07-1.17), lower income (OR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.48-1.64), greater functional independence (OR, 2.88; 95% CI, 2.42-3.44), higher Charlson Comorbidity Index score (OR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.13-1.24), longer facility residence (OR, 2.50; 95% CI, 2.41-2.60), and presence of dementia (OR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.86-2.00). However, the oldest age group ( 90 years) showed lower odds of CNS medication use compared with those aged <80 years (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.76-0.84). At the facility level, privately operated facilities had higher odds of CNS medication use compared with public facilities (OR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.18-1.58). The high prevalence of CNS medication use among prescription-receiving residents, particularly those with dementia and greater functional independence, raises concerns about medication appropriateness.”

According to the news editors, the research concluded: “Significant facility-level variations in prescribing patterns highlight the need for systematic medication monitoring and review in Korean LTC facilities.”

This research has been peer-reviewed.

For more information on this research see: Central Nervous System Medication Use Among Older Adults in Korean Long-Term Care Facilities: A Multilevel Analysis. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 2026:106131. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association can be contacted at: Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA. (Elsevier - www.elsevier.com; Journal of the American Medical Directors Association - http://www.journals.elsevier.com/journal-of-the-american-medical-directors-association/)

The news editors report that additional information may be obtained by contacting Juhyang Lee, Health Insurance Research Institute, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, South Korea. Additional authors for this research include Jinok Byeon, Jiyoon Hong and Sodam Kim.

Publisher contact information for the Journal of the American Medical Directors Association is: Elsevier Science Inc, Ste 800, 230 Park Ave, New York, NY 10169, USA.

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