Osong Public Health Res Perspect.  2017 Oct;8(5):342-350. 10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.5.08.

Comparative Analysis of the Trends in Medical Utilization of Cancer Inpatients in Korea

• Lee HJ
• Kim SS

• KMID: 2395844
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.24171/j.phrp.2017.8.5.08

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Cancer has attracted worldwide attention. The incidence and prevalence are increasing, and it is the main cause of death. The purpose of this study was to identify the characteristics of hospitalized cancer patients.
METHODS
This study is a secondary data study using the Korean National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey Data conducted annually by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Using these data, we extracted inpatients who principal diagnosis is cancer for nine years from 2005 to 2013.
RESULTS
According to the analysis, the annual trend of cancer inpatients is steadily increasing. In 2025, it is expected to increase to about 670,000 inpatients. A cancer diagnosis created a change in medical utilization depending on the characteristics of patients and hospital. Men are more at risk of cancer than women. The number of hospital beds and hospital days were inversely proportional to cancer inpatients. There was also a difference in the equity of medical utilization by region. Other cancer management policies should be based on sex.
CONCLUSION
Populations between the ages of 45 and 64 years should be a priority in cancer policy. Because of the long-term hospitalization of patients with death as the outcome, a terminal cancer patient care facility is needed. These conclusions can provide a basis for various health policies.

Keyword

cancer; inpatients; mortality; length of stay; trends

MeSH Terms

Cause of Death
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.)
Diagnosis
Female
Health Policy
Hospitalization
Humans
Incidence
Inpatients*
Korea*
Length of Stay
Male
Mortality
Patient Care
Prevalence