Pediatr Allergy Respir Dis.  2012 Sep;22(3):224-231.

Nationwide Survey on the Prevalence of Allergic Diseases according to Region and Age

• Seong HU
• Cho SD
• Park SY
• Yang JM
• Lim DH
• Kim JH
• Son BK

Abstract

PURPOSE
It is widely known that allergic diseases progress through a sequential course known as the allergic march. However, there have been no recent reports in Korea regarding the progress of allergic diseases based on the medical claim data of the National Health Insurance Corporation.
METHODS
Medical claim data of 2005 and 2008 from the National Health Insurance Corporation were used. Data was classified according to the administrative districts of metropolitan cities and provinces, and divided according to age in increments of 5 years.
RESULTS
According to the nationwide survey on the prevalence of allergic diseases according to region, the prevalence of allergic diseases increased in 2008 compared to 2005. Especially, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis significantly rises in all regions. When comparing the prevalence of allergic diseases according to age, there was no significant difference in the prevalence of atopic dermatitis and asthma between 2005 and 2008. In contrast, allergic rhinitis demonstrated a rise of more than 5% in all age groups.
CONCLUSION
According to the nationwide survey on the prevalence of allergic diseases using the medical claim data from the National Health Insurance Corporation, the prevalence of allergic rhinitis had significantly increased in 2008 compared to 2005. More survey studies should be conducted in the future using the medical claim data of the National Health Insurance Corporation.

Keyword

Prevalence; National Health Insurance Corporation; Allergic rhinitis; Asthma; Atopic dermatitis

MeSH Terms

Asthma
Dermatitis, Atopic
Korea
National Health Programs
Prevalence
Rhinitis
Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Prevalence of allergic rhinitis according to region in 2005 and 2008 based on the medical claim data of the National Health Insurance in Korea.

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  Fig. 2 Nationwide prevalence of allergic diseases according to age in 2005 and 2008 based on the medical claim data of the National Health Insurance (main disease code).

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  Fig. 3 Nationwide prevalence of allergic diseases according to age in 2005 and 2008 based on the medical claim data of the National Health Insurance (main disease code+sub disease code).

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  Fig. 4 Prevalence of atopic dermatitis according to region in 2005 and 2008 based on the medical claim data of the National Health Insurance in Korea.

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  Fig. 5 Prevalence of asthma according to region in 2005 and 2008 based on the medical claim data of the National Health Insurance in Korea.

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