Assessing Trends in Hospitalizations for Breast Cancer among Women in Korea: A Utilization of the Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey (2006–2020)

Abstract Objective Breast cancer poses a significant health threat globally and particularly in Korea, where mortality rates have risen notably. In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of breast cancer patients discharged in Korea over the past 15 years and explored the association between comorbidities and treatment outcomes to propose effective strategies for managing cancer patients. Understanding these dynamics is vital for informing tailored management strategies and optimizing healthcare system sustainability. Methods This study utilized cross-sectional data from the Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey from 2006 to 2020. Each year, among patients discharged from hospital with 100 beds or more, those identified with breast cancer patients were based on their primary diagnosis code (C50) according to the ICD-10, as recorded in their medical records. Results Between 2006 and 2020, an estimated 499,281 breast cancer patients were discharged, with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of 5.2% (95% CI 4.2–6.2, p