Tuberc Respir Dis.  1975 Jun;22(2):75-82. 10.4046/trd.1975.22.2.75.

Morbidity Patterns of Tuberculosis among Korean Physicians during the last 60 years. A cohort Approach (1920~1972)

• KMID: 2528998
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4046/trd.1975.22.2.75

Abstract

To quantitate the magnitude of the occurrence and to measure the morbidity patterns of tuberculosis during the last 50 years, a morbidity study was performed using Korean physician population as an indirect index. It was assumed that the physician population was a group which received most complete and accurate diagnosis than any other groups in Korea. Data were collected applying the postal Survey methods from the 9, 036 Korea n physicians registered to the Korean Medical Association in 1972. The response rate was 70.6%. Data were analyzed by age, sex, year of birth and by calendar year and various rates such as experience rates, prevalence rates, incidence rates, were completed adopting cohort approach. 13.7% of Korean physicians have experienced pulmonary tuberculosis in the past. Both sexes have similar experience rates. The prevalence rates for both sexes were 1. 2% at the time of survey with no sex difference. The incidence rates showed the highest peak at the age of 20-29 and the decrease in both sides of ages. The binh cohort showed that the highes t incidence rates were see n among those who were borne in 1930-34. Before and after those birth years, both incidence and experience rates were decrea sing. This suggested that hi gh fatalit y and disability. rates before 1950. Real reduction of incidence rates for tuberculosis among Korean physicians started from 1965 slowly. However, the incidence rates have been decreasing very rapidly from the early part of 1970s. The annual incidence rates in early 1970 were 0. 2% in average.