Abstract
To investigate the incidence and characteristics of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in Korea, we used the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database. Patients over 50 years old, who were diagnosed or treated for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures in all hospitals and clinics, were analyzed between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2017 by using the HIRA database that contains prescription data and diagnostic codes. These data were retrospectively analyzed by decade and age-specific and gender-specific incidents in each year. We also evaluated other characteristics of patients including medication state of osteoporosis, primary used medical institution, regional-specific incidence of osteoporosis, and incidence of site-specific osteoporotic fractures. The number of osteoporosis patients over 50 years old, as diagnosed by a doctor, steadily increased from 2009 to 2017. The number of osteoporosis patients was notably greatest in the 60′s and 70′s age groups in every study period. Patients undergoing treatment for osteoporosis increased significantly (96%) from 2009 to 2017. Among the patients diagnosed with osteoporosis, the proportion who experienced osteoporotic fracture increased gradually (60%) from 2009 to 2017. The number of patients with osteoporotic fractures of the spine and hip was highest in the 70 to 90 age range, and the number of patients with osteoporotic fractures in the upper and lower extremities was highest in the 50 to 70 age range. Understanding the trends of osteoporosis in Korea will contribute to manage the increased number of patients with osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures.
Highlights
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and microstructural deterioration of bone tissue
In the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database, only cases which incurred medical expenses by a patient visiting a doctor are recorded. This means that an osteoporosis patient identified through the HIRA database is a case in which the doctor considers various diagnostic factors comprehensively and treats it as an osteoporosis patient
The operational definition for this study include the use of exclusive medications for osteoporosis treatment—bisphosphonate, estrogen, tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC), selective estrogen receptor modifier (SERM), receptor activators of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) inhibitor, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitriol
Summary
Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by low bone mass and microstructural deterioration of bone tissue This is associated with bone fragility and increases the risk of fracture [1,2,3]. Korea (Republic of Korea, South Korea) is one of the fastest aging societies, and the Korean population over 50 years old will grow to 57% in 2050 [4,11] This indicates that the proportion of the population at risk for osteoporosis and osteoporotic fracture in Korea will increase [4]. Osteoporotic fractures, especially spine or hip fractures, are one of the main causes of morbidity and disability in elderly patients This increases the socioeconomic burden on the health care system [9,12,13]. This study is the most recent incidence research on osteoporosis in Korea
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