J Korean Med Sci.  2024 Jan;39(4):e22. 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e22.

The Epidemiology of Hepatitis B Virus Infection in Korea: 15-Year Analysis

• Kim LY
• Yoo JJ
• Chang Y
• Jo H
• Cho YY
• Lee S
• Lee DH
• Jang JY
• tKAftSotL

• KMID: 2551965
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e22

Abstract

Background
The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiological changes in chronic hepatitis B (CHB) and assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) over the past 15 years in a region endemic to hepatitis B virus (HBV).
Methods
National Health Insurance Service claims data of hepatitis B patients spanning from 2007 to 2021 was utilized. To compare the characteristics of the hepatitis B group, a control group adjusted for age and gender through propensity score matching analysis was established.
Results
The number of patients with CHB has consistently increased over the past 15 years. The average age of the CHB patient group has shown a yearly rise, while the prevalence of male dominance has gradually diminished. The proportions of hepatocellular carcinoma, liver cirrhosis, and decompensation have exhibited a declining pattern, whereas the proportion of liver transplants has continuously risen. Patients with CHB have demonstrated significantly higher medical and medication costs compared to the control group. Moreover, patients with CHB have shown a higher prevalence of comorbidities along with a significantly higher rate of concomitant medication usage. During the COVID period, the HBV group experienced a substantial decrease in the number of outpatient visits and overall medical costs compared to the control group.
Conclusion
The epidemiology of CHB has undergone significant changes over the past 15 years, encompassing shifts in prevalence, severity, medical costs, and comorbidities. Furthermore, the impact of COVID-19 has been observed to decrease healthcare utilization among patients with CHB when compared to controls.

Keyword

HBV; Epidemiology; COVID-19 Infection

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Healthcare resource utilization: total medical costs (A) and number of visits to medical institutions (B).HBV = hepatitis B virus.

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  Fig. 2 Hepatitis B patient visits to medical institutions by residential area. (A) Number of patients by urban and rural areas, (B) concentration of medical care by region.

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  Fig. 3 Subgroup analysis: total number (A) and proportion of patients (B) by liver disease severity.HCC = hepatocellular carcinoma, CHB = chronic hepatitis B.

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