Korean Health Insurance Review Research Articles

Increased Risk of Chronic Periodontitis in Chronic Rhinosinusitis Patients: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study Using a National Health-Screening Cohort.

This study compared the risk of chronic periodontitis (CP) between chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and non-chronic rhinosinusitis (control) patients using a national cohort dataset from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. CRS (n = 5951) and control participants (n = 23,804) were selected after 1:4 ratio matching for age, sex, income, region of residence, and preoperative CP visits. Postoperative CP visits were measured between 2002 and 2015. The margin of equivalence of the difference between the CRS and control groups was set between −0.5 and 0.5. Statistical significance was noted in the post-index date (ID) of the third, fourth, and fifth year periods. In subgroup analyses according to age and sex, statistical significance was observed in 40–59-year-old males in post-ID third, fourth, and fifth year periods, ≥60-year-old males in post-ID third and fourth year periods, and ≥60-year-old females in post-ID fifth year period (p < 0.05, each). In another subgroup analysis based on the number of pre-ID CP visits, statistical significance was observed for pre-ID CP (0 time) in the third, fourth, and fifth year periods (p < 0.05, each). This study revealed that CRS participants were likely to receive CP diagnosis and treatment.

Diabetes mellitus increases mortality in acute pyelonephritis patients: a population study based on the National Health Insurance Claim Data of South Korea for 2010–2014

Diabetes mellitus has been suspected to increase mortality in acute pyelonephritis (APN) patients and the goal of this study is to verify this suspicion with a large data set based on almost the entire population of South Korea. A nationwide cohort study was conducted using a South Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claim database. We collected demographic and clinical information including comorbidities of patients with APN as the primary discharge diagnosis during 2010-2014. Then we compared the in-hospital mortality and recurrence of APN across the diabetes and non-diabetes groups. Among 845,656 APN patients, 12.4% had diabetes mellitus. The median age was 65 in the diabetes group, which was much higher than 47 in the non-diabetes group; the female proportion was 91-92% in both groups. The in-hospital mortality rate was higher in the diabetes group (2.6/1000 events in the diabetes group vs. 0.3/1000 in the non-diabetes group, P < 0.001). When covariates (age, sex, and the modified Charlson comorbidity index) were controlled with panel logistic regression, diabetes was still associated with a higher in-hospital mortality in APN patients (OR 2.66, 95% CI 2.19-3.23). The increasing effect of diabetes on in-hospital mortality of APN patients varied greatly with age: the effect was large for age 15-49 (OR 15.06, 95% CI 5.27-43.05), slightly smaller for age 50-64 (OR 12.17, 95% CI 5.71-25.92), and much smaller for age ≥ 65 (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.72-1.92). Our data indicate that the mortality of APN is higher in the patients with diabetes and this effect becomes stronger for young patients.

Risk of seizures associated with antipsychotic treatment in pediatrics with psychiatric disorders: a nested case-control study in Korea.

Antipsychotic drugs raise seizure risk in adults, and antipsychotic drug use is increasing among pediatric psychiatric disorder patients. However, few studies have examined seizure risk in this younger patient population. To evaluate seizure risk in pediatric patients on antipsychotics, we conducted a nested case-control study using a nationwide database. Patient information was retrieved from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) database from 2008-2018. Antipsychotic use among newly diagnosed psychiatric patients was gathered starting 1 year before the index date and categorized as recent, past, consistent, or none. Seizure cases among these patients were defined based on (1) prescription of antiepileptic drugs or (2) an electroencephalography (EEG) examination among patients with seizure diagnostic code. A conditional logistic regression model was constructed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for seizure risk due to antipsychotic use. In total, 1523 seizure cases and 6092 seizure-free controls aged 8-19years with newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders were included for analysis. Logistic regression revealed a significant association between antipsychotic use and seizure development (recent users OR = 4.03, 95% CI 3.4-4.79; consistent users: OR = 2.84, 95% CI 2.44-3.3). Seizure risk enhanced further with an increase in the number of antipsychotic drugs used. Risperidone, aripiprazole, quetiapine, olanzapine, paliperidone, and blonanserin were independently associated with greater seizure risk. Pediatric patients receiving antipsychotics, especially new or multiple antipsychotic users, should be carefully monitored for seizure development.

Short-term outcomes of pediatric laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair in Korea based on Korean Health Insurance Big Data: 2011-2015.

For pediatric inguinal hernia repairs (IHRs), open IHR (high ligation) has long been a gold standard. Recently laparoscopic IHR (LIHR) was introduced as a new treatment modality and has been performed more frequently in Korea. Unlike adults, LIHR in children is still controversial. In the present study, we investigate the short-term outcomes of pediatric LIHR in Korea using nationwide inpatient data. We analyzed clinical practice for IHRs from 2011 to 2015 using Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Inpatient Sample. A total of 5281 patients 15years old or younger underwent 5356 IHRs: 4507 OIHRs and 849 LIHRs. M:F ratio was 2.4:1. The proportion of LIHRs was only 1.8% at the beginning but had been continuously increased up to 29.8% at the end of the study period. LIHRs were closely related to synchronous bilateral inguinal hernia repairs (SBIHRs). Overall, SBIHRs were performed in 10.9% of open and 49.2% of LIHRs. Metachronous contralateral IHRs (MCIHRs) after initial unilateral IHRs were significantly more frequent after OIHRs (1.7%, 69/3, 951) than after LIHRs (0.2%, 1/427). Recurrence rate per side during study period was 0.1% (6/4, 993) after OIHRs and 0.2% (2/1, 259) after LIHRs, respectively (statistically insignificant). Nationwide inpatient data showed that LIHRs in pediatric patients had recently been increasingly performed in Korea. LIHRs facilitated SBIHRs, which, in turn, decreased the needs of MCIHRs. However limited numbers of patients might actually have benefited from them. Early recurrence after primary IHRs in children is quite low regardless of way of approach.

Mood Disorders are Associated With Increased Risk of BPPV: A National Sample Cohort.

Few studies have reported that mood disorders increase the risk of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The purpose of our study was to demonstrate whether the incidence of BPPV in those with mood disorders differs from that in a matched control group. Nationwide cohort observational study. Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Samples were collected from 2002 to 2013. A 1:4 matched mood disorder group (n = 59,340) and control group (n = 237,720) were selected. The crude and adjusted (cerebral stroke, ischemic heart disease, anxiety disorder, and osteoporosis histories) hazard ratios (HRs) for depression and BPPV were analyzed using a stratified Cox proportional hazard model. The results were stratified by age, sex, income, region of residence, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia in these analyses. The incidence of BPPV was significantly higher in the mood disorder group than in the control group (3.2% vs. 2.1%, P < .001). Mood disorder increased the risk of BPPV (adjusted HR = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.23-1.39, P < .001). In subgroup analyses, the incidence of BPPV in all age groups and in both sexes was significantly higher in the mood disorder group than in the control group. This population-based cohort study demonstrates that mood disorder was significantly associated with BPPV. N/A. Laryngoscope, 131:380-385, 2021.

How rare is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in children? A review of 20 cases and their epidemiology

ObjectiveThe clinical features and incidence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) are not well known in pediatric populations. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical characteristics of pediatric BPPV and to estimate the frequency of pediatric BPPV in the general population. MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 20 children (6–14 years old) diagnosed with BPPV between 2007 and 2017. The age/sex distribution of BPPV for all ages at our hospital and in the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS) database were compared. The annual incidence and proportion of children with BPPV were calculated. ResultsBPPV occurred 1.86 times more frequently in girls than in boys. Nine children (45%) had associated comorbidities, such as inner ear disorders and recent head trauma. The posterior and lateral semicircular canals were most commonly involved (n = 9 for each), and recurrence was observed in two patients (10%). Children younger than 15 years accounted for approximately 1% of all BPPV cases. The annual incidence of BPPV was 171.5/100,000 for all ages and 9.5/100,000 in the pediatric population. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that pediatric BPPV is a relatively uncommon cause of vertigo in children and that the rates of related illness and recurrence are high.

Air pollution by NO2 is associated with the risk of Bell\u2019s palsy: A nested case-controlled study

This study investigated the relationship of weather and air pollution with the onset of Bell’s palsy. The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Sample Cohort (HIRA-NSC) data from 2002 through 2013 were used. The 3,935 Bell’s palsy patients were matched with 15,740 control participants. The meteorological data, including daily mean temperature (°C), daily mean highest temperature (°C), daily mean lowest temperature (°C), daily mean temperature difference (°C), relative humidity (%), spot atmospheric pressure (hPa), sulfur dioxide (SO2) (ppm), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) (ppm), ozone (O3) (ppm), carbon monoxide (CO) (ppm), and PM10 (particulate matter ≤ 10 μg/m3) for 60 days, 30 days, 14 days, 7 days, and 3 days prior to the index date were analyzed for Bell’s palsy cases and controls. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) of the association between the meteorological data and Bell’s palsy. The mean NO2 and PM10 concentrations for 60 days were higher, while that of O3 was lower in the Bell’s palsy group than in the control group (both P < 0.001). The Bell’s palsy group showed 16.63-fold higher odds of NO2 for 60 days (0.1 ppm) than the control group (95% CI = 10.18–27.16, P < 0.001). The ORs of PM10, and O3 for 60 days showed inconsistent results according to the included variables. Bell’s palsy was related to high concentrations of NO2.

Mortality and Cause of Death in Patients With Vertebral Fractures: A Longitudinal Follow-Up Study Using a National Sample Cohort.

A retrospective study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Sample Cohort was performed. To determine the rate and causes of mortality in vertebral fracture patients. Vertebral fractures are associated with increased mortality in prior studies. Of 1,125,691 patients, we collected data of 23,026 patients of all ages who experienced thoracic or lumber vertebral fractures between 2002 and 2013. The vertebral fracture participants were matched 1:4 with control participants, accounting for age, group, sex, income, and region of residence. Finally, 21,759 vertebral fracture participants and 87,036 control participants were analyzed. The index date was the date of diagnosis of vertebral fracture; participants from the control group were followed from the same index date as their matched counterparts. The follow-up duration was the index date to the death date or the last date of study (December 31, 2013). Patients were followed until death or censoring of the data. Death was ascertained in the same period, and causes of death were grouped into 12 classifications according to the Korean Standard Classification of Disease. A stratified Cox proportional hazards model was used. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for mortality of vertebral fracture was 1.28 (P < 0.001) with the higher adjusted HR in younger patients. Mortalities caused by neoplasms; neurologic, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, and muscular diseases; and trauma were higher in the vertebral fracture group (P < 0.05), with muscular disease showing the highest odds ratio for mortality. Vertebral fractures were associated with increased mortality in Korean. Disease in muscuoskeletal system and connective tissue that possibly be associated with the fractures was most responsible for elevated death rates following vertebral fracture. Our findings may help caregivers provide more effective care, ultimately decreasing the mortality rate of vertebral fracture patients. 3.

Practical strategy for optimizing the timing of anti-tumor necrosis factor-α therapy in Crohn disease: A nationwide population-based study.

There is little consensus on the optimal timing of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy to decrease the rates of hospitalization and surgery in Crohn disease (CD). We aimed to assess the real-world outcomes of anti-TNF therapy and estimate the optimal timing of anti-TNF therapy in Korean patients with CD.Claims data were extracted from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Incident patients diagnosed with CD between 2009 and 2016, with at least 1 anti-TNF drug prescription, and with follow-up duration > 6 months were stratified according to the number of relapses prior to initiation of anti-TNF therapy: groups A (≤1 relapse), B (2 relapses), C (3 relapses), and D (≥4 relapses). The cumulative survival curves free from emergency hospitalization (EH) and surgery were compared across groups.Among the 2173 patients analyzed, the best and worst prognoses were noted in groups A and D, respectively. The incidences of EH and surgery decreased significantly as the use of anti-TNF agents increased. The 5-year rate of hospitalization was significantly lower in group A than in groups C and D (P = .004 and .020, respectively), but similar between groups A and B. The 5-year rate of surgery was lower in group A than in group C (P = .024), but similar among groups A, B, and D.In Asian patients with CD, anti-TNF therapy reduces the risk of EH and surgery and should be considered before three relapses, regardless of disease duration.

The Incidence and Management Trends of Metastatic Spinal Tumors in South Korea: A Nationwide Population-based Study.

Population-based study. From 2008 to 2017, data from the national database of the Korean Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service were analyzed. The national insurance system and all medical expense bill data of the entire population are included in the database. The aim of this study was to elucidate the incidence and management trends of metastatic spinal tumors in South Korea. The spine is the most common location of bone metastases. However, population-based studies in this topic are limited. The International Classification of Disease, 10th revision, medical behavior, and examination codes were used to identify the incidence and management trends of metastatic spinal tumors. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used in statistical analysis. Overall, 38,007 patients (average age, 61 years) diagnosed with metastatic spinal tumors were analyzed. Metastatic tumors were most common in patients in their 60s (25.7%). The 10-year incidence of spinal metastases in South Korea was 6.68 cases per 100,000 population. The age-adjusted incidence per 100,000 population decreased from 8.16 cases in 2008 to 6.18 in 2017 (P = 0.03). Sex-adjusted incidence rates in men increased from 8.60 per 100,000 persons in 2008 to 8.70 in 2017 (P < 0.001); those of women decreased from 8.20 per 100,000 persons in 2008 to 4.15 in 2017 (P < 0.05). The most common primary tumor site was the lung (26.9%), followed by the breast (16.9%), prostate (10.8%), and liver (8.1%). Radiation therapy was constant at about 3500 cases per annum (P = 0.62); surgical treatment increased from 1158 to 1382 cases (P < 0.001). Resection and instrumentation surgeries increased significantly (P < 0.001), whereas cementation decreased continuously. Total healthcare costs increased significantly from $19,925,296 in 2008 to $30,268,217 in 2017 (P < 0.001). The incidence of metastatic spinal tumors decreased in South Korea. Resection and instrumentation procedures increased, and total healthcare costs increased rapidly. 3.

Impact of Statin Use on Dementia Incidence in Elderly Men and Women with Ischemic Heart Disease.

This study aimed to determine the association between statins and the prevention of dementia according to sex differences in elderly patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). We performed a nationwide retrospective cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database (2007–2015). Among the 264,036 eligible patients aged ≥65 years with IHD, statin users were compared with non–users by propensity score matching at a 1:1 ratio (71,587 in each group). The primary outcome was dementia risk by estimating hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Differential risks of dementia were assessed by sex in the subgroups of statin types, exposure duration, and patient age, implying that sex is an influential factor for the link between statin use and dementia incidence. Among seven commonly prescribed statins, rosuvastatin was associated with the greatest preventive effect on dementia incidence, with an adjusted HR of 0.82 (95% CI = 0.78–0.87). In a subgroup analysis organized by sex, the differential risk of dementia incidence was assessed in each statin group, implying that sex is an influential factor for the link between statin and dementia. This study suggests that appropriate statin use considering sex differences may have beneficial effects on the development of dementia.

Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis in Korea: analysis of prevalence and incidence via a nationwide population-based study

BackgroundPulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) is a very rare lung disease and its prevalence and incidence remain unclear. The prevalence and incidence of PAP were investigated by using nationwide claims data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment service.MethodsData were extracted for adults who visited any secondary or tertiary medical institute between 2010 and 2016 with the PAP-related Korean Classification of Disease, 7th edition code J84.0 and the Rare Intractable Disease exempted calculation code V222. To robust case definition, a narrow case definition was made when all following factors were met: 1) more than two PAP-coded visits within 1 year of the first claim, and 2) more than one claim for both chest computed tomography and diagnostic procedures (bronchoscopy or surgical lung biopsy) within 90 days before or after the first claim.ResultsA total of 182 patients (narrow, n = 82) with PAP-related codes were identified from 2010 to 2016 and 89 new patients (narrow, n = 66) visited medical institutes between 2012 and 2015. The prevalence of PAP was 4.44 (narrow: 2.27) per 106 population, with a peak age of 60–69 years. The incidence of PAP was 0.56 (narrow: 0.41) per 106 population at risk, with a peak age of 50–59 years. Among incident cases, the male-to-female ratio was 1.52 and about two-thirds had comorbidities, dyslipidaemia being the most common.ConclusionsThe prevalence and incidence of PAP in Korea are low, similar to those in other countries; however, Korean patients with PAP are characterized by older diagnostic age and a lower male-to-female ratio.

Entecavir versus Tenofovir for the Prevention of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Treatment-Naïve Patients with Chronic Hepatitis B in Korea: A Retrospective Cohort Study with Nationwide Claims Data

Background: Preventing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a major concern of antiviral therapy in chronic hepatitis B. There are conflicting reports about the effects of entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) on HCC prevention. Here, we assessed these two antivirals on prevention of HCC. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. We included treatment-naive 55 488 adults who started ETV or TDF between 2013 and 2017. The ETV and TDF groups were 1:2 matched on the basis of age, sex, comorbidities, hospital type, and year of the index date. Patients were followed until December 2018. The outcome was the development of HCC. Findings: The matched participants (18496 in the ETV and 36992 in the TDF group) was followed for a mean of 41·2 months. The incidence of HCC was not significantly different between the ETV (1·46 per 100 patient-years [PY]) and the TDF group (1·36 per 100 PY) (hazard ratio, 0·93; 99% confidence interval [CI], 0·84 to 1·03). Interpretation: In this study, we could not find ETV treatment resulted in a higher rate of HCC than TDF among patients with chronic hepatitis B. Funding Statement: This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. Declaration of Interests: The authors stated: None exist. Ethics Approval Statement: The HIRA provide the claims data with concealed individual identification of patients. This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of HIRA (approval number: B2019-025). Informed consent from patients was waived by the Board.

Bidirectional association between GERD and asthma in children: two longitudinal follow-up studies using a national sample cohort.

The causal relationship between asthma and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is unknown in children. The Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Sample Cohort 2002-2013 was used. The population age <15 years was selected. In study I, 86,096 asthmatic children were 1:1 matched with 86,096 control I participants. In study II, 532 GERD children were 1:2 matched with 1064 control II participants. The stratified Cox proportional hazard ratios for GERD in patients with asthma (study I) and asthma in patients with GERD (study II) were analyzed. In total, 0.7% (583/86,096) of the asthma group and 0.5% (430/86,096) of the control I group had GERD (P < 0.001). The asthma group demonstrated a 1.36 times higher HR for GERD than the control I group (95% CI = 1.20-1.54, P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses according to age and sex showed consistent results. In total, 15.0% (80/532) of the GERD group and 10.0% (106/1,064) of the control II group had asthma (P < 0.001). The GERD group showed a 1.62-fold higher HR for asthma than the control II group (95% CI = 1.21-2.18, P < 0.001). GERD and asthma demonstrated a bidirectional relationship in children.

The incidence and seasonal variation of necrotizing fasciitis in Korea: a nationwide cross-sectional study

IntroductionNecrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare but fatal disease, and there is no known annual incidence of NF in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and seasonal variation of NF in Korea. MethodsWe analysed claims from the nationwide Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Patients who were hospitalized with an NF diagnosis code and received surgical intervention were classified as NF cases. Poisson regression models were used to assess the relationships of incidence rates with year, age and sex. A multivariate Poisson regression model was used to investigate variations in monthly NF incidence trends. ResultsFrom 2012 to 2017, the overall average annual NF incidence rate was found to be 0.86 per 100 000 population. NF incidence increased with age and was 2.5 times higher among males across all age groups. Two-thirds of cases occurred among patients with diabetes. The peak NF incidence occurred during the summer. Multivariate Poisson regression modelling using national meteorological variables suggested that mean temperatures and number of NF cases in the previous month were associated with the number of NF cases in the current month. DiscussionClinicians should consider NF when encountering an elderly man with diabetes during the summer.

Risk for Acromegaly-related Comorbidities by Sex in Korean Acromegaly

Reports on the incidence, characteristics, and comorbidity in Asian patients with acromegaly are scarce. To evaluate the incidence of acromegaly and the risk of comorbidities in East Asia, especially South Korea. This nationwide population-based cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment claims database evaluated the incidence of acromegaly, initially diagnosed from 2010 to 2013. We identified comorbidities during, before, and 2 years after diagnosis. Acromegaly and control cases (718 and 7180, respectively) were included in the analysis. A longitudinal case-control study using a nationwide population cohort. The mean annual incidence rate of acromegaly was 3.57 cases per 1 000 000. Malignancies occurred in 61 patients with acromegaly (8.5%) during the study period and thyroid cancer was the most common malignancy (n = 38). In the acromegaly group, the overall risk of malignancy was higher: hazard ratio (HR), 2.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.12-3.74). Malignancy risk was more pronounced in females, with increased risk from the prediagnosis period that is sustained until the postdiagnosis period. Prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and heart failure increased significantly in acromegalic patients. Over the entire period, DM developed in 51.1% and 57.0% of male and female acromegalic patients, respectively. Mortality risk was higher (HR 1.65, 95%; CI: 1.13-2.41) and statistically significant in females (HR 1.75, 95%; CI: 1.07-2.84). Comorbidities associated with acromegaly differed by sex in Korean subjects. High malignancy and mortality risk should be considered in female patients when managing acromegaly in Korea.

Total knee arthroplasty reduces the risk of mortality in osteoarthritis patients up to 12 years: A Korean national cohort longitudinal follow-up study.

Mortality rates and causes of death after total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are of great interest to surgeons. However, there is a shortage of studies regarding those of the Asian population. The aim of this study was to compare the mortality rate and causes of death in patients after TKA to the general population. National sample cohort data from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service were used. In this study, 1:4 matched patients after TKA (TKA group: 5072) and general participants (control group: 20,288) were selected as subjects. Their average follow-up duration was 57.2 months ranging from a year up to 12 years. The matches were processed for age, gender, income, region of residence, and past medical history. Mortality rates and causes of death were compared between groups. Regarding the mortality rates, we also performed subgroup analyses according to age. Adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of the TKA group for mortality rate was less than 1 with significance (adjusted HR = 0.61 (95% confidence interval = 0.54-0.70, p < 0.001)). The ratios were less than 1 for both age groups (<70 and ≥70 years), respectively; however, for patients under 70, they were insignificant. Among the 11 major causes of death, the circulatory disease showed the most significantly reduced mortality rate for the TKA group compared to the control group. The neoplasm was the only other cause with a significantly reduced mortality rate for the TKA group. The mortality rate in the TKA group was significantly lower than in the control group up to 12 years after the surgery in Korea. Among the major causes of death, circulatory disease and neoplasm showed a significant reduction in the mortality rate of the TKA group compared with the control group.

Epidemiology of Congenital Bleeding Disorders: a Nationwide Population-based Korean Study.

BackgroundExcept for data in the Korea Hemophilia Foundation Registry, little is known of the epidemiology of congenital bleeding disorders in Korea.MethodsData were obtained from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) database.ResultsFrom 2010 to 2015, there were 2,029 patients with congenital bleeding disorders in the Korean HIRA database: 38% (n = 775) of these patients had hemophilia A (HA), 25% (n = 517) had von Willebrand disease (vWD), 7% (n = 132) had hemophilia B (HB), and 25% (n = 513) had less common factor deficiencies. The estimated age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of HA and HB was 1.78–3.15/100,000 and 0.31–0.51/100,000, respectively. That of vWD was 1.38–1.95/100,000. The estimated ASR of HA showed increase over time though the number of new patients did not increase. Most patients with congenital bleeding disorders were younger than 19 years old (47.8%), and most were registered in Gyeonggi (22.1%) and Seoul (19.2%).ConclusionThis is the first nationwide population-based study of congenital bleeding disorders in Korea. This study provides data that will enable more accurate estimations of patients with vWD. This information will help advance the comprehensive care of congenital bleeding disorders. We need to continue to obtain more detailed information on patients to improve the management of these diseases.

National Trends in the Repair of Isolated Superior Labral Tear from Anterior to Posterior in Korea.

BackgroundThe optimal treatment for superior labral tear from anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesions is controversial. Thus, we aimed to investigate the national surgical trends in isolated SLAP repair in Korea.MethodsWe analyzed a nationwide database from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service from 2008 to 2017. We investigated the trends in SLAP repair by time, sex, age, and the type of health care institution.ResultsFrom 2008 to 2017, 27,850 isolated SLAP repairs were identified. Age-adjusted incidence rate of isolated SLAP repair increased by 692% from 1.07/100,000 in 2008 to 8.48/100,000 in 2012 (P = 0.005). However, the incidence rate declined significantly after 2012 (P = 0.032) and was 5.28/100,000 in 2017. Sex-specific incidence rate of isolated SLAP repair was 2.3 times higher in men than in women. The decline since 2012 was most evident in patients aged ≥ 40 years (P = 0.01); however, the incidence rates of isolated SLAP repair during the study period were similar between patients aged ≥ 40 years and those aged < 40 years. Moreover, hospitals with 30–100 beds had the greatest change in the number of isolated SLAP repair cases.ConclusionIn Korea, the incidence of isolated SLAP repair increased dramatically until 2012; since then, it has declined. Although the decrease in isolated SLAP repair later in the study was evident in those aged ≥ 40 years, the incidence rate was still relatively high in patients aged ≥ 40 years.

Pregnancy Does Not Increase the Risk of Bell's Palsy: A National Cohort Study.

The objective of this study was to compare the incidence of Bell's palsy between women during pregnancy or postpartum periods and non-pregnant/non-postpartum women (controls). Using the national cohort from the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, pregnant/postpartum participants (63,264) and control participants (126,528) were matched in a 1:2 ratio based on age, income, region of residence, and medical history. The incidence of Bell's palsy in both groups was measured from pregnancy to 1 year postpartum. Among the 63,264 pregnant/postpartum participants, 20 were diagnosed with or treated for Bell's palsy during pregnancy, and 38 during postpartum periods. The annual incidence of Bell's palsy per 100,000 women during pregnancy was 43.4 in the patient group and 80.2 in the control group (p < 0.05), and that during postpartum periods was 60.1 the patient group and 50.6 in the control group (p > 0.05). The annual incidence of Bell's palsy was not increased in pregnant women relative to that in the control.