Comparative analysis of genetic testing utilization rates among people with and without disabilities in South Korea from 2016 to 2019, focusing on malignant neoplasms: A national population-based study.

Introduction: Oncogene testing is widely used to detect or direct cancer treatments. Compared to people without disabilities, people with disabilities in Korea have a lower cancer incidence rate but a fivefold higher cancer mortality rate, implying delayed detection.

Methods: We used an administrative database combining disability status and care utilization to analyze every case of cancer-related genetic testing paid for by the National Health Insurance Services of Korea between 2016 and 2019.

Increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 death among older patients at long-term care hospitals in Korea.

Introduction: Long-term care hospitals are known to be vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infection and death given their numerous older chronic disease patients. However, the actual effect of long-term care hospital admission is not well known in Korea; hence, this study sought to analyze the effect of long-term care hospitalization on SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 death by correcting for patients' characteristics.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used the data from K-COV-N cohort, which is linked to the National Health Insurance Service and the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency; it analyzed 70,373 individuals aged ≥60 years, who had been tested for COVID-19 between January 1 and May 30, 2020 (KDCA-NHIS-2020-1-601).

Exposure to COVID-19 Infection and Mortality Rates Among People With Disabilities in South Korea.

Background: With the delayed eradication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), people with disabilities, a socially vulnerable class of individuals, face aggravated hardships caused by a pause in support services and lack of care due to stricter social distancing policies combined with the challenges of their disabilities. Given this background, we aim to investigate COVID-19 infection and mortality rates among people with disabilities, who face heightened physical and mental health threats amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Gender, age, health insurance premiums, the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI), the severity of the disability, and the type of disability were compared among people with disabilities who had been infected with or died from COVID-19 using the nationally representative National Health Insurance Service (NHIS)-COVID-19 database (DB).

COVID-19 Disease Burden Related to Social Vulnerability and Comorbidities: Challenges to Tuberculosis Control.

Purpose: The first coronavirus disease (COVID-19) spike and subsequent pandemic in South Korea were rapid and disruptive. Government response measures for disadvantaged groups against infectious disease should be prioritized based on evidence and affordability. We investigated whether COVID-19 infection, intensive care unit (ICU) care, and mortality from COVID-19 are related to social and medical vulnerability, including tuberculosis (TB).

Association of Metabolic Syndrome with COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is reportedly a crucial risk factor for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Since the epidemiological studies that examine this association are few and include small samples, we investigated the relationship between MetS and COVID-19 severity and death using a larger sample in the Republic of Korea.

Methods: We analyzed 66,321 patients, 4,066 of whom had COVID-19.

The Relationship Between Socio-Demographic Factors and Tuberculosis Mortality in the Republic of Korea During 2008-2017.

The Republic of Korea has a high incidence of tuberculosis (TB) and TB-specific mortality rate. In 2019, it had the second highest TB-specific mortality among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries. Understanding the factors associated with TB-specific deaths may help eradicate the disease.

Policy Review and Modeling Analysis of Mitigation Measures for Coronavirus Disease Epidemic Control, Health System, and Disease Burden, South Korea.

We reviewed the timeline of key policies for control of the coronavirus disease epidemic and determined their impact on the epidemic and hospital burden in South Korea. Using a discrete stochastic transmission model, we estimated that multilevel policies, including extensive testing, contact tracing, and quarantine, reduced contact rates by 90% and rapidly decreased the epidemic in Daegu and nationwide during February‒March 2020. Absence of these prompt responses could have resulted in a >10-fold increase in infections, hospitalizations, and deaths by May 15, 2020, relative to the status quo.

Comorbidities and Factors Determining Medical Expenses and Length of Stay for Admitted COVID-19 Patients in Korea.

Purpose: No previous investigations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have estimated medical expenses, length of stay, or factors influencing them using administrative datasets. This study aims to fill this research gap for the Republic of Korea, which has over 10,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases.

Patients And Methods: Using the nationwide health insurance claims data of 7590 confirmed COVID-19 patients, we estimated average medical expenses and inpatient days per patient, and performed multivariate negative binomial, and gamma regressions to determine influencing factors for higher outcomes.

Characteristics in Pediatric Patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Korea.

Background: Based on the reports of low prevalence and severity of pediatric severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, the Korean government has released new SARS-CoV-2 infection response and treatment guidelines for children under the age of 12 years. The government has further directed school reopening under strict preventive measures. However, there is still considerable concern on the impact of school reopening on community transmission of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Risk Factors of Outcomes of COVID-19 Patients in Korea: Focus on Early Symptoms.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread around the globe, and it is important to determine the risk factors of death in the general population. Our study aimed to determine the risk factors of death and severe illness requiring supplemental oxygen therapy based on the demographic and clinical characteristics of COVID-19 patients in Korea.

Methods: In this study, we used data provided by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) and analyzed a total of 5,068 patients with COVID-19, excluding 19 pregnant women and 544 individuals with missing data.

A National Study of Life-Sustaining Treatments in South Korea: What Factors Affect Decision-Making?

Purpose: This cross-sectional study investigated the status of life-sustaining treatment (LST) practices and identified characteristics and factors influencing decision-making practices.

Materials And Methods: The National Agency for Management of Life-sustaining Treatment retains records provided by doctors regarding patients subject to LST implementation. A total of 71,327 patients receiving LST were identified.

Intensive Care Unit Capacity and Its Associated Risk Factors During the COVID-19 Surge in the Republic of Korea: Analysis Using Nationwide Health Claims Data.

Objective: To identify risk factors for intensive care unit (ICU) admission and mechanical ventilator usage among confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) patients and estimate the effects of mitigation efforts on ICU capacity in Korea.

Patients And Methods: Data on profiles and medical history of all confirmed COVID-19 patients in the past 1 year were extracted from the Korean National Health Insurance System's claims database to assess risk factors for ICU admission and ventilator use. We used a time-series epidemic model to estimate the ICU census in Daegu from the reported hospital data.

Influencing Factors of Transportation Costs Regarding Healthcare Service Utilization in Korea.

Background: Transportation costs can be a barrier to healthcare services, especially for low-income, disabled, elderly, and geographically isolated populations. This study aimed to estimate the transportation costs of healthcare service utilization and related influencing factors in Korea in 2016.

Methods: Transportation costs were calculated using data from the 2016 Korea Health Panel Study.

Analysis of Risk Factors on Readmission Cases of COVID-19 in the Republic of Korea: Using Nationwide Health Claims Data.

In South Korea, 4.5% patients of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were readmitted to hospitals after discharge. However, there is insufficient research on risk factors for readmission and management of patients after discharge is poor.

Maternal nutrition intervention focused on the adjustment of salt and sugar intake can improve pregnancy outcomes.

Due to the increasing age of pregnant women, maternal nutrition management is becoming more important. Since pregnant women are more likely to consume sodium and sugars than nonpregnant women of the same age, we investigated whether maternal nutrition intervention focused on the adjustment of salt and sugar intake can help pregnancy outcome. This randomized controlled trial was performed on 142 pregnant women within 22 weeks of gestational age for at least 16 weeks until childbirth.

Duplicated tramadol use in chronic low back pain: A nationwide cross-sectional study.

Tramadol is a weak opioid that is commonly used for chronic low back pain (LBP). Despite its effectiveness, duplicated use of tramadol, which may indicate abuse or dependence, may exacerbate potential adverse reactions. This population-based, cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence of duplication of tramadol and its associated factors among patients with LBP.

Factors associated with potentially harmful drug-drug interactions in older Korean people: A population-based study.

Aim: The present study investigated the status of potentially harmful drug-drug interactions (PHDI) in older adults, to obtain insight into factors that influence the risk of PHDI.

Methods: The present study included Korean people aged ≥65 years who were prescribed one or more drugs included in the list of PHDI under the Beers Criteria 2015 from January to December, 2016 (n = 1 257 317). PHDI were defined based on the Beers Criteria 2015.