Effects of Long-acting Injectable 3-Monthly Paliperidone Palmitate on the Clinical and Social Performance of Patients with Schizophrenia

Objective@#To investigate the effects of long-acting injectable 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate on the clinical and social functioning of patients with schizophrenia. @*Methods@#This study enrolled patients with schizophrenia receiving long-acting injectable 1-monthly paliperidone palmitate for at least 4 months and who subsequently received 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate. Accordingly, 418 patients were followed up for 24 weeks. Their clinical symptoms and social functioning were measured using the Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness and Personal and Social Performance scales. @*Results@#The Personal and Social Performance total score was significantly higher after 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate treatment than at baseline (baseline vs. week 24: 54.3 ± 18.0 vs. 61.0 ± 14.5 [mean ± standard deviation]; p ＜ 0.001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test); the proportion of patients in the mildly ill group (scores 71−100) also increased significantly (baseline vs. week 24: 16.5% vs. 20.6%; p＜ 0.001; McNemar-Bowker test). The mean Clinical Global Impression-Severity of Illness score decreased significantly (baseline vs. week 24: 3.7 ± 1.0 vs. 3.4 ± 0.9; p＜ 0.001; Wilcoxon signed-rank test), as did the proportion of patients in the severely ill group (baseline vs. week 24: 4.1% vs. 2.1%; p ＜ 0.001; McNemar-Bowker test). @*Conclusion@#Continuous 3-monthly paliperidone palmitate treatment significantly enhances the personal and social performance of patients with schizophrenia and reduces the proportion of those with severe illness. These findings suggest that long-acting injectable antipsychotic administration at intervals longer than 1 month might improve the social functioning of and promote return to activities of daily living in patients with schizophrenia.

Association of Sleep Duration and Working Hours with Suicidal Ideation in Shift Workers: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018

Objective@#This study investigated whether sleep duration and working hours were associated with the risk of suicidal ideation. @*Methods@#Data from 13,628 shift workers (age ≥19) were obtained from the nationwide cross-sectional Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 2007–2018. We included healthy shift workers without depressive disorders and chronic medical illnesses. Sleep duration, working hours, and suicidal ideation were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used to examine the association of sleep duration and working hours with the risk of suicidal ideation. We examined interactions between sleep duration and working hours in association with suicidal ideation. In addition, interactions of sex or age were also analyzed. @*Results@#Shift workers sleeping for 52 hours/week had a higher risk of suicidal ideation compared with those working ≤40 hours/week. In terms of interaction by sex or age groups in the association between working hours and the risk of suicidal ideation, the relationship was stronger for men than for women and for those aged <45 years than for those aged ≥45 years. @*Conclusion@#Shorter or longer sleep durations, and long working hours were associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation. Under long working hours, male shift workers or those aged <45 years were more vulnerable to suicidal ideation.

Insomnia, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients First Diagnosed With Female Cancer

Objective@#This study evaluated whether insomnia, anxiety, and depression differ by type of gynecological or breast cancer. @*Methods@#From September 7, 2011, to July 14, 2015, this study included 232 patients who were diagnosed with gynecological or breast cancer for the first time. The severity of insomnia, anxiety, and depression was measured with the National Cancer Center Psychological Symptom inventory (NCC-PSI), a self-reported scale, at the first outpatient visit after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify which diagnosis was associated with significant symptom levels. @*Results@#Patients with ovarian cancer and breast cancer reported more severe insomnia and problems with daily life compared with cervical cancer patients. Anxiety symptoms were more distressing among breast cancer patients than cervical cancer patients, and the degree of interference in daily life was severe. Finally, compared to those with cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer patients reported more severe depression, and their daily life was disrupted more often than reported by cervical cancer patients. @*Conclusion@#Many female cancer patients are suffering distress but are not looking for specialized care. Psychiatric approach in the early stages of cancer diagnosis is needed and will require overcoming the stigmas of mental illness and cancer.

Association of Sleep Duration and Working Hours with Suicidal Ideation in Shift Workers: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007–2018

Objective@#This study investigated whether sleep duration and working hours were associated with the risk of suicidal ideation. @*Methods@#Data from 13,628 shift workers (age ≥19) were obtained from the nationwide cross-sectional Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys conducted in 2007–2018. We included healthy shift workers without depressive disorders and chronic medical illnesses. Sleep duration, working hours, and suicidal ideation were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Logistic regressions were used to examine the association of sleep duration and working hours with the risk of suicidal ideation. We examined interactions between sleep duration and working hours in association with suicidal ideation. In addition, interactions of sex or age were also analyzed. @*Results@#Shift workers sleeping for 52 hours/week had a higher risk of suicidal ideation compared with those working ≤40 hours/week. In terms of interaction by sex or age groups in the association between working hours and the risk of suicidal ideation, the relationship was stronger for men than for women and for those aged <45 years than for those aged ≥45 years. @*Conclusion@#Shorter or longer sleep durations, and long working hours were associated with a higher risk of suicidal ideation. Under long working hours, male shift workers or those aged <45 years were more vulnerable to suicidal ideation.

Insomnia, Anxiety, and Depression in Patients First Diagnosed With Female Cancer

Objective@#This study evaluated whether insomnia, anxiety, and depression differ by type of gynecological or breast cancer. @*Methods@#From September 7, 2011, to July 14, 2015, this study included 232 patients who were diagnosed with gynecological or breast cancer for the first time. The severity of insomnia, anxiety, and depression was measured with the National Cancer Center Psychological Symptom inventory (NCC-PSI), a self-reported scale, at the first outpatient visit after surgery. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify which diagnosis was associated with significant symptom levels. @*Results@#Patients with ovarian cancer and breast cancer reported more severe insomnia and problems with daily life compared with cervical cancer patients. Anxiety symptoms were more distressing among breast cancer patients than cervical cancer patients, and the degree of interference in daily life was severe. Finally, compared to those with cervical cancer, ovarian cancer and breast cancer patients reported more severe depression, and their daily life was disrupted more often than reported by cervical cancer patients. @*Conclusion@#Many female cancer patients are suffering distress but are not looking for specialized care. Psychiatric approach in the early stages of cancer diagnosis is needed and will require overcoming the stigmas of mental illness and cancer.

Anesthetic Management during Electroconvulsive Therapy / 이화의대지

Some patients with depression require electroconvulsive therapy performed undergeneral anesthesia. This requires rapid loss of consciousness, with minimal interferencefrom seizure activity, appropriate muscle relaxation status, prevention of hyperdynamicresponses to the electrical stimulus, and proper recovery of spontaneous ventilationand consciousness. The authors report the first case of electroconvulsive therapy performedwith the patient under general anesthesia at the Ewha Womans UniversityMedical Center, Korea.

The Relationship between Performance of Attention Task andSuicidal Ideation in Korean Patients with Mood Disorders

Objective@#We examined the performance of attention tests related to suicidal ideation in mood disorder patients and to explain the differenceof attention test performance in relation to suicidal ideation after controlling clinical and psychological variables of mood disorderpatients. @*Methods@#Seventy-three in- and outpatients with major depressive disorder (n=41) or bipolar disorder (n=32) completed a self-ratingquestionnaire assessing socio-demographic characteristics, and clinical and psychological variables. Comprehensive Attention Test(CAT) also was conducted. @*Results@#Thirty-three patients were the high-suicidal ideation (SI) group, and forty patients were the low-SI group. The errors of commission(CEs) of visual sustained attention in the high-SI group was 6.3 times higher on average than that of the low-SI group. Aftercontrolling for sex, age, and diagnosis, a higher number of CEs on visual sustained attention tasks predicted higher SI score. However,after controlling for sex, age, diagnosis, and depressive mood, this predictive ability was no longer observed. @*Conclusion@#This study showed that CE on the visual sustained attention task seems to influence suicidal ideation as a result of interactionwith depressive symptoms. Psychiatry Investig 2020;17(4):374-381

Impact of #MeToo Movement on Our Society / 이화의대지

No abstract available.

Attempted Suicides in South Korea : A Multi-Center Analysis of Causes, Methods, and Psychiatric Diagnoses of Suicidal Attempters in 2013

OBJECTIVES: To examine direct causes of attempted suicides, methods adopted to commit suicide, and psychiatric diagnoses among suicide attempters in South Korea. METHODS: A total of 1359 suicide attempters who had visited emergency department of 17 medical centers due to suicide attempt from May 2013 to Nov 2013 were interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. RESULTS: Psychiatric symptoms were the most common cause of suicide attempts (62.2%), followed by interpersonal relationships (24.4%). Women attempted suicide more often for interpersonal reasons, whereas men were more likely to do so for financial and jobrelated reasons. Half of participants (55.8%) attempted suicide by drug intoxication, which was more prevalent among females and those who had previous history of psychiatric disease or previous suicide attempt. Men were more likely to use more lethal methods such as pesticide poisoning and gas inhalation than women. Pesticide poisoning was also prevalent among the elderly group and the rural population. Near ninety-five percent (94.5%) of participants received a psychiatric diagnosis : the most frequent diagnosis was depressive disorder. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first nationwide study of cases of attempted suicide. When stratified by age groups, gender, urbanicity, living alone or not, presence of physical illness, previous psychiatric history, and previous suicide attempt, there were significant differences with respect to causes, methods of attempted suicides and psychiatric diagnoses of suicide attempters.

A Study on the Anxiety of the Chronic Viral Hepatitis Patients Receiving Pegylated Interferon Therapy / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to clarify anxiety symptoms associated with the pegylated interferon (PEG-IFN) treatment and to determine which factors are associated with these anxiety symptoms. METHODS: The subjects were 30 patients with hepatitis B and C viral infections who were waiting to receive PEG-IFN treatment. For assessment of depressive and anxiety symptoms, the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used. Patients were examined before treatment and then prospectively during the 2 weeks, 4 weeks and 1 years of therapy. We analyzed the changes in anxiety and depression symptoms, and applied multiple regression analysis to identify factors that significantly affect the anxiety symptoms. RESULTS: Compared to pre-treatment baseline, anxiety symptoms increased 2 weeks after treatment, and gradually decreased 4 weeks, and 1 year after treatment. And, we analyzed the sub-factors of depressive symptoms that affect the anxiety symptoms. After 2 weeks of treatment, cognitive-affective factors and hypochondriasis factors of depressive symptoms had an effect on anxiety symptoms. Furthermore after 4 weeks of treatment, the cognitive-affective factors had an effect on anxiety symptoms. CONCLUSION: In this study, we found a significant increase in anxiety symptoms after PEG-IFN treatment, and cognitive-affective depressive factors significantly affect anxiety symptoms.

Association between Obesity Indices and MMSE-K in Elderly / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between obesity indices and cognitive functions using data from individuals older than 65 years in South Korea. METHODS: A total of 151 Koreans older than 65 years participated in this study voluntarily. Obesity was determined using body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR). Cognitive function was evaluated using the Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-K). The participants were divided into four groups according to BMI : underweight (BMI or =25.0), and two groups according to WHR : normal (WHR or =0.8). Baseline characteristics were compared among different BMI or WHR subgroups. RESULTS: Older age and smoking habits showed an association with poor cognitive function. Among different BMI groups, the overweight group had the highest scores of MMSE-K ; the item scores for time and place orientation (4.48+/-0.770 and 4.80+/-0.500) and attention/calculation (4.00+/-1.258) as well as total score (25.88+/-2.877). Overweight in BMI showed an association with better cognitive function (OR(adjusted )=0.098, 95% confidence interval=0.017-0.577). CONCLUSION: In this study, the overweight group measured by BMI showed better cognitive function than other groups. Overweight in elderly might be acceptable in order to maintain cognitive performance. Further investigation regarding the underlying mechanism explaining the relationship between cognitive function and body weight will be needed.

Mental Health and Influencing Social Factors of Parents in Single Parent Families Living at an Urban Community / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify mental health of parents in single parent families according to sociodemographic variables and then to identify analyzed sociodemographic factors affecting their mental health. METHODS: The study participants included 291 parents in single parent families registered at Yangcheon-gu. They accomplished a self-report questionnaire, which included sociodemographic characteristics and self-rating scales ; Global Assessment of Recent Stress (GARS), The Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression (CES-D), Scale for Suicidal Ideation (SSI-Beck), and The Korean Version of the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test (AUDIT-K). First, we identified mental health of parents in single parent families according to sociodemographic variables by independent T test or ANOVA. Second, ANCOVA was used for determination of sociodemographic variables affecting mental health of parents in single parent families after adjusting other significant sociodemographic variables. RESULTS: Among sociodemographic variables, structure of family, age, occupation, type of residence, and monthly income had a significant effect on mental health of parents in single parent families. In families with an unmarried mother and unemployed, scores for GARS, CES-D, SSI-Beck, and AUDIT-K were significantly higher, while these scores were significantly lower in subjects whose monthly income was over 3 million won. CONCLUSION: Results of this study demonstrate that parents in single parent families were vulnerable to mental health problems, especially unmarried mothers, families, and unemployed. We should try to provide practical support in order to reduce social burden and provide earlier psychological interventions in order to reduce distress for single parent families.

Social Factors of Depressive Symptoms in an Urban Community Population / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and the correlates of social factors and life stress in an urban population. METHODS: 932 residents of Yangcheongu, Seoul were selected using multi-phasic cluster sampling method to represent each district. Trained interviewers visited each separate household individually and collected self-reported questionnaires, which represent socio-demographic characteristics of community residents. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was used to evaluate depressive symptoms (CES-D score over 21). Global Assessment of Recent stress (GARS) was used to evaluate life stress level. RESULTS: The prevalence of depressive symptoms in men was 11.8%, while in women it was 14.1%. Depressive symptoms were higher in divorced or separated persons, those with lower family incomes, high self-assessed level of stress scores, and frequent alcohol drinking patterns. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, high level of stress scores was independently associated with depressive symptoms. Sudden changes in relationship, sickness/injury and ordinary daily stress subscales were significantly associated with depressive symptoms when other subscales were controlled. CONCLUSION: Compared with point prevalence of depressive disorder, the prevalence of depressive symptoms in an urban population is relatively higher. The assessment of life stress level, especially for sudden changes in relationship, sickness/injury or ordinary daily stress, can be used as an effective screening tool for detection and prevention of depressive disorder.

A Study on Correlation between Anxiety Symptoms and Suicidal Ideation

OBJECTIVE: In South Korea, the number of deaths from suicide has increased in the last two decades, and suicide has become both a social and political problem. In this study, after controlling the variables influencing suicidal ideation, it was expected that it would be determined if anxiety symptoms are independently related to suicidal ideation. METHODS: Data were obtained from 327 psychiatric outpatients accomplished a self-reported questionnaire that included sociodemographic characteristics and clinical variables as well as self-rating scales for measuring the severity of one's anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation. Logistic-regression analyses were used to determine the correlation between anxiety symptoms and significant suicidal ideation, adjusting for covariates. RESULTS: The patients with significant suicidal ideation were shown to be less educated, unemployed, never married, divorced, or separated by death, or living alone, and were shown to have a lower income, a drinking habit, a higher number of past suicide attempts, and more family members who committed suicide, than the patients without significant suicidal ideation. After adjusting the covariates influencing significant suicidal ideation, anxiety symptoms were associated with significant suicidal ideation. However, after adjusting for depressive symptoms, only the trait anxiety was associated with significant suicidal ideation. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that anxiety symptoms are an independent risk factor for suicidal ideation. Clinicians may thus use anxiety symptoms for the screening examination when evaluating suicidal ideation and risk, and will have to actively evaluate and treat the anxiety symptoms of patients with suicidal tendencies.

The Influence of Life Stress on the Severity of Depression and Somatic Symptoms in Depressive Women / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Stressful life events play the important role in depression. Somatic symptoms have also been closely linked to life stress. This study aimed to investigate the influence of life stress during four different life stages (childhood, adolescent, from 19 years to last year, the year prior to interview) on the severity of depression and somatic symptoms in depressive women. METHODS: Seventy women who had been diagnosed with major depressive disorder or dysthymic disorder according to the DSM-IV TR, and whose ages varied from 21 to 72 years (average age : 41 years), completed the Mooney Problem checklist, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and Wittenborn`s somatic symptom scale. RESULTS: Life stressors which significantly influenced the severity of depression were difficulties with parents in the initial life stage, difficulties with other people in the third and fourth stages, and difficulties with social relationships in the fourth stage Further, somatic symptoms were influenced by health problem in the second period, difficulties with partners were prominent in the third stage, and difficulties with other people were noted in the fourth stage. The severity of depression showed a significantly positive correlation both with autonomic nervous system (p<0.001) and menopausal symptoms (p<0.001). After controlling for age, the severity of depression showed a significant positive correlation with stressors in the first stage (p<0.05), third stage (p<0.05), and fourth stage (p<0.01). Somatic symptom scores exhibited a significantly positive correlation with stressors in the second (p<0.05) and fourth stages (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Current results suggested that the severity of depression and somatic symptoms were influenced by difficulties with other people in the fourth stage. The results of this study suggests that depression and somatic symptoms can be abbreviated by regulating excess stress.

Patient Characteristics in Cases of Misdiagnosed Delirium upon Psychiatric Consultation in a University Hospital: A Pilot Study / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The misdiagnosis of delirium may result in a delay of correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment of the delirium. Additionally, aggravation of physical illnesses can occur. The objective of this study was to investigate patient characteristics in cases of misdiagnosed delirium upon psychiatric consultation in a university hospital. METHODS: Subjects included patients with delirium among all who we had consulted over a 12 week span. Psychiatric diagnosis was made by two well-trained psychiatrists by means of the DSM-IV-TR. Cognitive function, level of delirium, and physical function were evaluated by the Korean version of Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE-K), the Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DRS-R-98), the Clinical Global Impression-Severity (CGI-S), the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG-PS), and the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale (GAF). In addition, we collected socio-demographic information, date of admission and consultation, present causes of consultation, and speculated psychiatric diagnoses made by referring physicians. RESULTS: Among 45 subjects with delirium, only 28 patients (62%) were diagnosed with delirium by referring physicians at the time of consultation. The remaining 17 patients (38%) had been diagnosed with other illnesses. The group of misdiagnosed patients tended to have a longer duration of formal education than those that had been correctly diagnosed. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and intervention of delirium can minimize subsequent problems related to delayed diagnosis. Therefore, it is vital to identify the factors related to misdiagnoses by referring physicians. This study showed that a longer duration of formal education is a contributing factor for the misdiagnosis of delirium. Longer education may cover up the typical symptoms of delirium. This can keep referring physicians from making a correct diagnosis. This study was a pilot study investigating diagnostic accuracy of delirium by referring physicians. Additional, well-controlled studies are warranted.

A Case Report of Propofol Dependence in a Layman / 대한정신약물학회지

Propofol is a well-known ultra-short acting intravenous anesthetic agent for induction and maintenance of general anesthesia. Since its introduction into the market in the mid 1980s, this is the seventh report on propofol dependence in the literature. Of these, only two cases of propofol abuse have been previously reported in laypersons. We are reporting the case of a lay female who has dependence on propofol, and this is the first lay case in Asia.

Attitudes of Korean Psychiatrists Toward Treatment Long-acting Injectable Antipsychotic / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES : Long acting injectable antipsychotic medication have the ability to sustain the drug effect for a long duration, thus enabling advances in the management of those psychiatric patients who have poor compliance or who have difficulty getting the oral form of their antipsychotic medications. Despite their benefits, previous studies have reported that depot antipsychotics have a much lower prescription ratein the treatment of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Psychiatrist's attitude toward depot antipsychotics clearly has an influence on the decision-making process regarding the selection of medications. Until now, there has been no data with respect to psychiatrists' attitudes regarding long-acting injectable antipsychotics in Korea. This study examined these attitudes toward antipsychotic depot medications as well as the factors which could contribute to their choice of depots. METHODS : We questioned 347 psychiatrists, who had been attending a conference, about their attitudes toward depot antipsychotic treatment. RESULTS : The most important factor causing reluctance with respect to prescribing depot treatment (for both classes of antipsychotics) was a presumed sufficient level of compliance with available oral antipsychotic treatments. In addition, typical depots are not considered to be an appropriate treatment option for first-episode patients, and as a result, they are used sparingly. Lastly, atypical longacting injectable drugs are avoided due to their strict criteria of insurance and high treatment costs. CONCLUSION : Aversions to prescribe depot treatment are frequent among psychiatrists and appear to be unrelated to the antipsychotic class. The stated reasons for not choosing depots are generally not supported by the current literature. Further research is required to clarify the advantages using depot treatments.

Psychiatric Symptoms, Neurocognitive Function and Quality of Life according to Brain-MRI Findings in the Traumatic Brain Injury Patients / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was intended to compare psychiatric symptoms, neurocognitive function and quality of life between normal finding group and abnormal finding group on Brain-MRI. We investigated which variables were related to quality of life (QOL) in traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients. METHODS: Among thirty nine patients who had mild to moderate TBI, twenty two patients (57%) showed abnormal brain MRI findings correlated with their injury and 17 patients (43%) showed normal or nonspecific brain MRI findings. All patients completed Symptom check list-90-revised (SCL-90-R), Beck depression inventory (BDI), State-trait anxiety inventory (STAI), Korean version of the Smith Kline Beecham Quality of Life scale (KvSBQOL) and Marlowe-Crown Social Desirability Scale (MCSDS). Two psychiatrists assessed the patients using Hamilton rating scale for depression (HAMD), Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) and Functional assessment scale (FAS). In addition, Korean Wechsler Adult intelligence Scale (K-WAIS), Rey-Kim Memory Test (R-KMT) and Kims frontal-executive neuropsychological test (KF-ENT) were assessed. RESULTS: On FAS, the mean score was significantly lower in the abnormal finding on B-MRI group than the normal finding group (p=0.014). In the patients with abnormal MRI findings, the QOL scores significantly correlated with several subscales of SCL-90-R (obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety, global severity index and positive symptom total), FAS and memory quotient after controlling for MCSDS. However, in the patients with normal MRI findings, QOL scores significantly correlated with BDI and all subscales of SCL-90-R. When all pertinent variables were entered in stepwise regression analysis, depression (p<0.05) and interpersonal sensitivity (p<0.05) subscales of SCL-90-R explained 38.5% and 17.7% of the variance of the QOL score in patients with abnormal MRI findings. As for the patients with normal MRI findings, depression (p<0.05) subscale of SCL-90-R accounted for 54.2% of the variance of the QOL score. CONCLUSION: TBI patients who have persisting abnormal brain findings suffered from impaired daily functioning. Depression and interpersonal sensitivity explained 55% of the variance of the QOL together. In the patients with normal brain MRI findings, objective depression or anxiety did not correlate with QOL whereas subjective depressive symptom accounted for 54.2% of the variance of the QOL. This study suggests that subjective psychiatric symptoms including depression significantly correlated with the subjective QOL of TBI patients regardless of their brain MRI finding.

Nocturanl Eating Behavior Associated with Zolpidem / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVE: The authors would like to fine the relationship between zolpidem and nocturnal eating episodes in diverse psychiatric patients. METHOD: We evaluated case series of 6 patients who showed nocturnal eating episodes after takine zolpidem. RESULTS: We have experienced 6 cases who showed nocturnal eating behavior after taking zolpidem. They included 3 patients with schizoprenia, a patient with major depressive disorder, a patient with PTSD and a patient with bipolra I disorder. With reducing or discontiuation of of zolpidem, their nocturnal eating resolved. CONCLUSION: This finding strongly suggests the relationship between zolpidem and the nocturnal eating episode. Physicians should be aware that zolpidem might induce nocturnal eating behaviors.