Korean sleep disorder patients up 28% in 5 years to 1.09 million...23% in their 60
For every 100,000 people, there were 2,137 patients who received medical care...Health insurance spending increased 86.8% in five years to USD 220 million (similar to KRW 285.1 billion won).

  [관련기사=한국 수면장애 환자 5년새 28% 증가한 109만9000명…60대 환자가 23%]

[MedigateNews] The number of people suffering from sleep disorders in Korea has increased by 28% in five years to 1,109,000. This represents an average annual increase of 7.8%, with a steeper increase among men than women.

Along with the increase in the number of sleep disorder patients, health insurance expenses have also increased by 86.8% in five years to USD 220 million. Accordingly, per capita health insurance expenditure was USD 200 (KRW 259,000), with teenagers spending the most at USD 316 (KRW 410,000) by age group.

On the 16th, the National Health Insurance Service announced the health insurance treatment status of patients with 'sleep disorders (G47, F51)' from 2018 to 2022 using health insurance treatment data.

In 2022, "sleep disorders" accounted for 23.0% (253,000 individuals) among patients in their 60s

"Sleep disorders encompass various conditions related to sleep such as insomnia, sleep-related breathing disorders, hypersomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders, and sleep-related movement disorders.

According to official announcements, the number of patients seeking treatment for sleep disorders in South Korea increased from 855,025 individuals in 2018 to 1,098,819 individuals in 2022, marking a rise of 243,794 individuals (28.5%↑). The average annual growth rate stood at 7.8%.

In 2022, the number of male patients rose to 475,003 from 355,522 in 2018, indicating a 33.6% increase, while the number of female patients grew to 623,816 from 499,503 in 2018, showing a 24.9% rise. It was observed that the increase in male patients was steeper.

Analyzing the age distribution of patients with sleep disorders in 2022, among the total of 1,098,819 patients, individuals in their 60s comprised the largest portion with 252,829 individuals, accounting for 23.0%. This was followed by those in their 50s at 18.9% (207,698 individuals) and in their 70s at 16.8% (184,863 individuals).

For males, the highest proportion of patients was in their 60s at 21.1%, followed by those in their 50s at 17.3% and in their 70s at 16.8%. Among females, individuals in their 60s accounted for 24.4%, followed by those in their 50s at 20.1% and in their 70s at 16.8%."

In 2022, 2,137 patients per 100,000 population received treatment for 'sleep disorders
 
When examining the number of patients with 'sleep disorders' per 100,000 population annually, it was observed that in 2022, there were 2,137 individuals compared to 1,674 in 2018, marking a 27.7% increase. Among males, the figures rose from 1,388 in 2018 to 1,846 in 2022 (a 33.0% increase), while among females, it increased from 1,962 in 2018 to 2,430 in 2022 (a 23.9% rise).

Looking at the number of patients with 'sleep disorders' per 100,000 population by age group, those aged 80 and above were the highest at 6,076 individuals.

When segregated by gender, for males, the highest number was among those aged 80 and above at 7,075, followed by 4,822 in their 70s and 2,840 in their 60s. Similarly, for females, the highest number was among those aged 80 and above at 5,525, followed by 5,356 in their 70s and 4,106 in their 60s.

In 2022, the healthcare expenses for patients with 'sleep disorders' amounted to USD 220 million (KRW 285.1 billion), an 86.8% increase compared to 2018.

The health insurance expenses for patients with 'sleep disorders' increased from USD 118 million (KRW 152.6 billion) in 2018 to USD 220 million (KRW 285.1 billion) in 2022, marking an 86.8% (USD 102 million, similar to KRW 132.5 billion) increase from 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 16.9%.

Analyzing the distribution of health insurance expenses for patients with 'sleep disorders' by age group and gender in 2022, those in their 60s accounted for the highest proportion at 20.5% (USD 452 million, similar to KRW 585 billion), followed by those in their 50s at 17.3% (USD 380 million, similar to KRW 492 billion) and those in their 40s at 15.7% (USD 346 million, similar to KRW 448 billion). When categorized by gender, both males and females had the highest expenses in their 60s, constituting 17.9% (USD 196 million, similar to KRW 254 billion) and 23.1% (USD 255 million, similar to KRW 331 billion), respectively.

In 2022, 'sleep disorder' patients incurred an average treatment cost of USD 200 per person

Over a 5-year period, the average treatment cost per patient increased by 45.4%, from USD 137 (KRW 178,000) in 2018 to USD 200 (KRW 259,000) in 2022. When categorized by gender, the cost for males rose from USD 159 (KRW 206,000) in 2018 to USD 230 (KRW 298,000) in 2022 (a 45.4% increase), while for females, it increased from USD 123 (KRW 159,000) in 2018 to USD 178 (KRW 230,000) in 2022 (a 44.4% rise).

Analyzing the average treatment cost per patient in 2022 by age group, individuals in their teens had the highest at USD 316 (KRW 410,000). When segmented by gender, males in their teens had USD 333 (KRW 432,000), while females under 9 years old had USD 449 (KRW 582,000), indicating the highest costs within these groups.
Professor Lee Jung-Seok from the Department of Psychiatry at the National Health Insurance Ilsan Hospital explained about sleep disorders, stating, “It is a very common condition experienced or currently suffered by over 20% of the population. The main symptoms related to sleep can be broadly categorized into three: difficulty falling asleep or maintaining sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness or fatigue, and abnormal behavior during sleep, such as sleepwalking or night terrors.”

He further added, “Sleep disorders can arise from a wide range of causes. Changes in sleep schedules or sleep environments, as well as stress, can be contributing factors. Additionally, various internal medical issues or psychiatric conditions can also trigger sleep disorders.” He emphasized the importance of evaluating factors affecting sleep through interviews and various tests such as polysomnography (PSG), psychological assessments, and clinical laboratory tests.

He concluded, “Above all, identifying and eliminating the causes of sleep disorders is crucial. For instance, if irregular sleep patterns cause the disorder, establishing regular sleep and wake-up routines is important. Furthermore, treating underlying psychiatric or physical illnesses is essential, and in some cases, short-term use of sleep aids can be helpful.'"

by Woon Jo