J Korean Med Assoc.  2005 May;48(5):423-427. 10.5124/jkma.2005.48.5.423.

Recent Epidemiologic Changes of Acute and Chronic Hepatitis in Korea

• Byun KS

• KMID: 2183545
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2005.48.5.423

Abstract

In Korea, the pattern of age-specific seroprevalence of anti-HAV has changed with economic growth. The prevalence of anti-HAV in age 1~20 years declined from 60% in 1980 to 9% in 1995. As a result, this age group has a high risk for HAV infection, and actually the incidence of clinically overt hepatitis A is increasing in adolescents and young adults recently. In contrast, the prevalence of HBV carriers has been markedly decreased up to less than 1% in children because of the preventive strategies for HBV infection. The prevalence of HBsAg among Korean adults also declined from 8.0% in male and 6.1% in female in the 1980s to 7.4% in male and 3.6% in female in 1997. This article reviews recent epidemiologic changes of acute and chronic hepatitis in Korea.

Keyword

Acute hepatitis; Chronic hepatitis; Epidemiology; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Child
Economic Development
Epidemiology
Female
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens
Hepatitis, Chronic*
Humans
Incidence
Korea*
Male
Prevalence
Seroepidemiologic Studies
Young Adult
Hepatitis A Antibodies
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens

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