Trends in the Disease Burden of Digestive Diseases in South Korea, 2010-2020.

Background/Aims The medical demand is rapidly increasing in Korea, of which digestive diseases account for a high proportion. This study aimed to analyze the trend of healthcare burden of patients with digestive diseases in Korea in 2010 and 2020. Methods This study generated the estimate using data from the National Patient Sample data compiled by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service database, which covers the entire population of Korea in 2010 and 2020. Medical utilization was analyzed based on principled estimates defined as primary diagnosis and extensive estimates defined as primary diagnosis and 1st listed secondary diagnosis. Results There was an upward trend in the total number of patients and medical expenditures for digestive diseases by principal estimate, from 17,293k patients and $4.2 billion in 2010 to 18,500k and $8.5 billion in 2020, respectively. Intestinal infectious diseases were the most common among hospitalized patients in both 2010 and 2020. In outpatients, gastritis & duodenitis was most common in 2010, and gastroesophageal reflux disease was the highest in 2020. The most common cause of emergency room visits was intestinal infectious disease in both 2010 and 2020, same as inpatients. With an average annual increase rate of 7.0%, gallbladder diseases, pancreatic diseases, and benign neoplasm of colon showed a significant increase in annual change of ＋19.5%, ＋12.0% and ＋9.1% respectively. Conclusion Over the past decade, the burden of digestive diseases in Korea steadily has increased. Among them, the prevalence of diseases related to westernized diet has increased more remarkably. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]