Korean Lepr Bull.
2021 Dec;54(1):.
Leprosy in Korea 2000-2020
- Affiliations
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- 1Institute for Leprosy Research, Korean Hansen Welfare Association, korea
Abstract
- Background
Although incidence of leprosy in Korea has declined steadily over the years, the increase in immigration since the turn of the century—much of it from countries where leprosy is still prevalent—may have been linked to the national leprosy control program.
Objective
The object of this study is to investigate the epidemiological characteristics of cases of leprosy in Korea among Korea-born and foreign-born population groups.
Methods
It was performed observational, retrospective study of new cases of leprosy cases in Korea, as reviewed leprosy records from the Korea Centers for Disease Control & Prevention from 2000 to 2020.
Results
Of the leprosy cases registered during the study period, 141 were in Korea patients, while 36 were detected in resident immigrants. Most imported cases were diagnosed in Indonesia(25%), Sri Lanka(23.8%), and Nepal(20%). Others were Myanmar, Bangladeshi, Thailand, and Philippines. Male ratios of new cases were 43.3% in Korea patients and 94.4% in resident immigrants (p<0.01). Mean age of it was 62.5 years in Korea patients and 27.9 years old in resident immigrants (p<0.01). In the initial symptom to visit clinics, ratios of skin lesion were 51% and 67% in all cases(p>0.05) on the other hand 52% and 79% in MB cases(p=0.01). In durations from start of symptoms to diagnosis, mean durations were 15.82 months and 6.81 months(p<0.01). Ratios of MB and PB were 90% and 67%(p<0.001).
Conclusion
Although the number of new cases of Korea-born were continuously decreasing, new cases of foreign-born were continuously occurring. Clinicians should be made more aware of the potential for leprosy incidence among patients from countries where the disease is endemic.
