Real-World National Colonoscopy Volume in Korea: A Nationwide Population-Based Study over 12 Years

Background/Aims: Little is known about the national colo noscopy volume in Asian countries. This study aimed to as sess the national colonoscopy volume in Korea over a 12-year period on the basis of a nationwide population-based database. Methods: We conducted a population-based study for colonoscopy claims (14,511,158 colonoscopies performed on 13,219,781 patients) on the basis of the Ko rean National Health Insurance Service database from 2002 to 2013. The 12-year national colonoscopy burden was analyzed according to patient age, patient sex, and health care facility type. Results: The overall volume of colonoscopy increased 8-fold over the 12-year period. The annual colono scopic polypectomy rate significantly increased in all patient sex and age groups over the 12-years period (all p