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Bang J. Reply: Response to Possibility of Decreasing Incidence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection in Korea. Infect Chemother 2024; 56:94-95. [PMID: 38527774 PMCID: PMC10990879 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2024.0015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jihwan Bang
- Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul Metropolitan Government - Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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Nishiura H, Fujiwara S, Imamura A, Shirasaka T. HIV incidence before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan. MATHEMATICAL BIOSCIENCES AND ENGINEERING : MBE 2024; 21:4874-4885. [PMID: 38872518 DOI: 10.3934/mbe.2024215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
At the end of 2022, a total of 20,003 diagnoses of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and 8,983 cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) among Japanese nationals, and 3,860 HIV diagnoses and 1,575 AIDS cases among foreign residents, had been notified to the government in Japan. This study updates the estimate of HIV incidence, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. It aimed to reconstruct the incidence of HIV and understand how the disruption caused by COVID-19 affected the epidemiology of HIV. Using a median incubation period of 10.0 years, the number of undiagnosed HIV infections was estimated to be 3,209 (95% confidence interval (CI): 2,642, 3,710) at the end of 2022. This figure has declined steadily over the past 10 years. Assuming that the median incubation period was 10.0 years, the proportion of diagnosed HIV infections, including surviving AIDS cases, was 89.3% (95% CI: 87.8%, 91.0%). When AIDS cases were excluded, the proportion was 86.2% (95% CI: 84.3%, 88.3%). During the COVID-19 pandemic, the estimated annual diagnosis rate was slightly lower than during earlier time intervals, at around 16.5% (95% CI: 14.9%, 18.1%). Japan may already have achieved diagnostic coverage of 90%, given its 9% increment in the diagnosed proportion during the past 5 years. The incidence of HIV infection continued to decrease even during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022, and the annual rate of diagnosis decreased slightly to 16.5%. Monitoring the recovery of diagnosis along with the effective reproduction number is vital in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Akifumi Imamura
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo Metropolitan Cancer and Infectious Diseases Center Komagome Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
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Bilibayeva G, Ospanova D, Nurkerimova A, Kussainova F, Tukeev M, Shokybaeva M, Tanabayeva S, Fakhradiyev I, Saliev T. Epidemiological Analysis of HIV/AIDS in Kazakhstan During 2018-2020. J Res Health Sci 2023; 23:e00580. [PMID: 37571951 PMCID: PMC10422132 DOI: 10.34172/jrhs.2023.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a severe threat to public health everywhere, including the Central Asian region and Kazakhstan. The aim of the study was to conduct an epidemiological analysis of newly diagnosed cases of HIV infection during 2018-2020. STUDY DESIGN A case series study. METHODS A descriptive analysis of national data on registered cases of HIV in Kazakhstan was conducted, and demographic information was collected and studied accordingly. The analysis of the influence of age, period, and cohort was performed using the age-period-cohort method. RESULTS Based on the results, men prevailed (68.5%) among all cases of HIV infection (n=1235). Sexual transmission during heterosexual contact was higher in females (88.9%, P=0.005), and the number of new cases as a result of homosexual contact was higher in men (23.0%, P=0.087). In addition, the parenteral route of HIV transmission cases prevailed among men (27.5%, P=0.001), and intravenous drug administration was more common among males (27.4%, P=0.01). Moreover, 68.5% of men and 33.2% of women had a low therapy adherence. In men, the risk of HIV prevalence increased after 32.5 years (deviation [Dv]: 0.134, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.096 to 0.364). At the age of 37.5 years, there was an increase (Dv: 0.852, 95% CI=0.626 to 1.079) in HIV prevalence. However, no peaks were observed in women. CONCLUSION Our findings indicated a rise in the prevalence of HIV infection in Kazakhstan. Men aged 37 and older were identified as the risk category. Eventually, inadequate adherence to treatment was observed in HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Marat Tukeev
- Center for Prevention and Control of AIDS, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | | | - Shynar Tanabayeva
- S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Ildar Fakhradiyev
- S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Timur Saliev
- S.D. Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
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Kwak SY, Boudier-Revéret M, Chang MC. Out of Sight, Out of Diagnosis-Severe Bilateral Neuropathic Pain in Lower Limbs of a 64-Yr-Old Man. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2023; 102:e50-e53. [PMID: 36228189 DOI: 10.1097/phm.0000000000002115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seong Yeob Kwak
- From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, College of Medicine, Yeungnam University, Namku, Taegu, Republic of Korea (SYK, MCC); and Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada (MB-R)
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Kim HW, Min J, Choi JY, Shin AY, Myong JP, Lee Y, Yim HW, Jeong H, Bae S, Choi H, In H, Park A, Jang M, Koo HK, Lee SS, Park JS, Kim JS. Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among participants of the national LTBI screening program in South Korea - A problem of low coverage rate with current LTBI strategy. Front Public Health 2023; 10:1066269. [PMID: 36743163 PMCID: PMC9892646 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1066269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The Government of South Korea launched a national preemptive latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) screening program in 2016, including more than 1. 6 million population in congregate settings. The objective of this study was to analyze LTBI prevalence and its risk factors in each setting. Additionally, the proportion of LTBI pool covered by the current national LTBI strategy was investigated. Methods Database for results of interferon gamma release assay (IGRA), X-ray, and baseline demographic information was linked with National Health Information Database, national tuberculosis (TB) surveillance database, and national contact investigation database. Participants were categorized into three groups: Group A, workers of postpartum care centers, social welfare facilities and educational institutions; Group B, first year students in high school and out-of-school youths; and Group C, inmates of correctional facilities. Relative risks of LTBI by sex, age, place of living, income level, and comorbidities were calculated. Results A total of 444,394 participants in Group A, 272,224 participants in Group B, and 11,511 participants in Group C who participated in the national LTBI screening program between 2017 and 2018 were included, with LTBI prevalence of 20.7, 2.0, and 33.2%, respectively. Age was the single most important risk factor in Group A and Group C. Low-income level was another risk factor commonly identified in all groups. Among participants with positive IGRA results, 2.7, 4.4, and 3.3% in Groups A, B and C, respectively, had past TB exposure history since 2013. Current LTBI guideline targeting high or moderate TB risk disease covered 6.5, 0.6, and 1.1% of participants with positive IGRA results in Groups A, B and C, respectively. Conclusion Only a small proportion of participants with positive IGRA results could be covered by the current LTBI strategy. Expansion of LTBI strategy by identifying further high-TB risk group in the general population is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyung Woo Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinsoo Min
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Young Choi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ah Young Shin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jun-Pyo Myong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yunhee Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon Woo Yim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunsuk Jeong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghyuk Bae
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hoyong Choi
- Division of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyekyung In
- Division of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ahyoung Park
- Division of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Miri Jang
- Division of Tuberculosis Prevention and Control, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyeon-Kyoung Koo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Soon Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Busan, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Seuk Park
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Republic of Korea
| | - Ju Sang Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea,*Correspondence: Ju Sang Kim ✉
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Kwon S, Cho JE, Lee EB, Kim YS, Sohn JW. A Korean Post-Marketing Surveillance Study of Dolutegravir Single-Agent Tablets in Patients with HIV-1. Infect Chemother 2022; 54:711-721. [PMID: 36596681 PMCID: PMC9840956 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2022.0058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The integrase strand transfer inhibitor dolutegravir has been indicated in Korea since 2014 for the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection in combination with other antiretroviral agents. This regulatory post-marketing surveillance (PMS) study evaluated the real-life safety and effectiveness of dolutegravir in patients with HIV-1 in clinical practice in Korea. MATERIALS AND METHODS This open-label PMS study examined data from consecutive patients (aged ≥12 years) with HIV-1 infection receiving dolutegravir according to locally approved prescribing information; treatment-naïve and treatment-experienced patients were permitted. Data regarding patient demographics, medical history, clinical characteristics, medications (HIV-related and concomitant), and comorbidities were extracted from patient records over a 1-year treatment period. Outcomes included the safety of dolutegravir (primary endpoint) and real-life effectiveness according to the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) and the proportion of patients with plasma HIV-1 RNA count <50 copies/mL at 48 weeks. RESULTS Of 147 patients treated with dolutegravir at 18 centers in Korea (August 2014 - August 2020), 139 were eligible for the safety analyses and 75 for effectiveness analyses. Patients (mean age 47 years) were mostly male (92.8%) and received dolutegravir in combination with nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (70.5%) or protease inhibitors (21.6%). Adverse events (AEs) (n = 179 in total) were mostly mild in severity, with the most common being nasopharyngitis (5.0%), dyspepsia (5.0%), pruritus (4.3%), and rash (4.3%). Of 16 adverse drug reactions (ADRs), the most frequent were rash, diarrhea, headache, insomnia, and somnolence (1.4% each). Of 2 serious ADRs, only 1 (gastroenteritis) was unexpected, and both resolved. The risk of experiencing an AE while receiving dolutegravir appeared to be especially increased in patients receiving concomitant medications for other conditions. Dolutegravir effectively suppressed HIV-1 (93.3% of patients had plasma HIV-1 RNA <50 copies/mL), and 100% of patients showed symptom improvement based on physician global assessment. CONCLUSION Results of this PMS study showed that dolutegravir administered as highly active antiretroviral therapy was well tolerated and effective in patients with HIV-1 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yeon-Sook Kim
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Chungnam National University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Jang-Wook Sohn
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Park B, Choi Y, Kim JH, Seong H, Kim YJ, Lee M, Seong J, Kim SW, Song JY, Choi HJ, Park DW, Kim HY, Choi JY, Kim SI, Choi BY. Mortality and Causes of Death among Individuals Diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Korea, 2004-2018: An Analysis of a Nationwide Population-Based Claims Database. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:11788. [PMID: 36142061 PMCID: PMC9517230 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191811788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The mortality rate and causes of death among individuals diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Korea were described and compared to those of the general population of Korea using a nationwide population-based claims database. We included 13,919 individuals aged 20-79 years newly diagnosed with HIV between 2004 and 2018. The patients' vital status and cause of death were linked until 31 December 2019. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for all-cause death and specific causes of death were calculated. By the end of 2019, 1669 (12.0%) of the 13,919 HIV-infected participants had died. The survival probabilities of HIV-infected individuals at 1, 5, 10, and 15 years after diagnosis in Korea were 96.2%, 91.6%, 85.9%, and 79.6%, respectively. The main causes of death during the study period were acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS; 59.0%), non-AIDS-defining cancer (8.2%), suicide (7.4%), cardiovascular disease (4.9%), and liver disease (2.7%). The mortality rate of men and women infected with HIV was 5.60-fold (95% CI = 5.32-5.89) and 6.18-fold (95% CI = 5.30-7.09) that of men and women in the general population, respectively. After excluding deaths due to HIV, the mortality remained significantly higher, with an SMR of 2.16 (95% CI = 1.99-3.24) in men and 3.77 (95% CI = 3.06-4.48) in women. HIV-infected individuals had a higher overall mortality than the general population, with AIDS the leading cause of mortality. Additionally, mortality due to non-AIDS-related causes was higher in HIV-infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boyoung Park
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Yunsu Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
| | - Jung Ho Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
- AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Hye Seong
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Youn Jeong Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 56 Dongsu-ro Bupyeong-gu, Incheon 21431, Korea
| | - Myungsun Lee
- Division of Clinical Research, Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187, Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28159, Korea
| | - Jaehyun Seong
- Division of Clinical Research, Center for Emerging Virus Research, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Korea National Institute of Health, Osong Health Technology Administration Complex, 187, Osongsaengmyeong 2-ro, Osong-eup, Heungdeok-gu, Cheongju-si 28159, Korea
| | - Shin-Woo Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, 680 Gukchaebosang-ro, Jung-gu, Deagu 41944, Korea
| | - Joon Young Song
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Hee-Jung Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Ewha Womans University College of Medicine, 52, Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Korea
| | - Dae Won Park
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Anam-dong 5-ga, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 08308, Korea
| | - Hyo Youl Kim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University Wonju College of Medicine, 162, Ilsan-dong, Wonju 26426, Korea
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
- AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, 50-1, Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03722, Korea
| | - Sang Il Kim
- Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul 06591, Korea
| | - Bo-Youl Choi
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, 222 Wangsimni-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul 04763, Korea
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Cho YM, Chin B. Assessment of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Care Continuum in Korea using the National Health Insurance System Data. Infect Chemother 2021; 53:477-488. [PMID: 34623778 PMCID: PMC8511369 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2021.0025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been shown to significantly reduce the likelihood of transmission to other people as well as promoting the health of people living with Human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (PLH). The purpose of this study was to assess the HIV care continuum of PLH in Korea using the national health insurance system (NHIS) database. Materials and Methods From 2006 to 2015, ART prescription/laboratory test claim data and enlisted accompanying comorbidities were extracted from the NHIS database. Utilizing these data, proportion of PLH on ART among those who registered to Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), HIV viral load testing, prescription trends of ART, medication possession ratio (MPR) of ART, and accompanying comorbidities were reviewed. Factors related with MPR <90% was also investigated among demographic factors, ART prescription, and accompanying comorbidities. Results During the observation period, the number of people receiving ART prescription increased from 2,076 in 2006 to 9,201 in 2015. Considering the number of PLHs reported by the KDCA, the proportion of PLHs who received ART prescription increased from 55.4% to 87.6% during the study period. The median value of ART MPR increased from 76.4% to 94.2% and the proportion of patients with MPR >90% increased from 54.3% to 78.2%. The most commonly accompanying comorbidities were dyslipidemia (55.7%), osteoporosis (16.3%), hypertension (15.7%) and diabetes (13.7%), respectively. The proportion of PLH with two or more comorbid conditions increased from 22.0% to 31.6%. Regarding the factors associated with suboptimal compliance, age less than 50 years old, under support of National Medical Aid, alcoholic liver disease, mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol, and ART regimen of protease inhibitor and non-single table regimen integrase strand transfer inhibitor were related with MPR <90%. Conclusion The proportion of PLHs who received ART prescription and median MPR of ART increased during the study period. However, proportion of patients with MPR >90% was 78.2% in 2015 and there are still much room for improvement in the aspect of compliance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Min Cho
- Health Insurance Research Institute, National Health Insurance Service, Wonju, Korea.,Institute of Health & Environment, Graduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - BumSik Chin
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, National Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
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Choi S, Lee E, Bang JH. High Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection among Inmates in Korean Correctional Facilities. J Korean Med Sci 2021; 36:e92. [PMID: 33847082 PMCID: PMC8042477 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e92] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epidemiological data are crucial in designing policies for the control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections. There is a lack of data on the epidemiology of HIV in Korean correctional facilities such as jails and prisons. METHODS Clinical characteristics of the study population were collected through a medical record review. RESULTS The number of people with HIV infection were 83 and the HIV infection prevalence in correctional facilities of Korea was 0.15%. Among them, 10 (12.0%) were diagnosed with the infection when they were incarcerated. The number of drug users was 38 (45.8%). Syphilis-HIV coinfection was observed in 21 (25.3%) patients. Individuals from the group comprising the drug users were more likely to belong to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) community, and had a higher incidence of psychological disorders (31.6% vs. 11.1%, P = 0.029; 50.0% vs. 28.9%, P = 0.049, respectively). CONCLUSION Inmates of correctional facilities showed a five times higher prevalence of HIV infection in Korea, nearly half of whom were drug users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sejin Choi
- Seoul Detention Center, Ministry of Justice, Uiwang, Korea
- Department of Translational Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Eunyoung Lee
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Hwan Bang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Seoul Metropolitan Government-Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Korea.
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Lee JA, Kim Y, Choi JY. Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on HIV Services in Korea: Results from a Cross-Sectional Online Survey. Infect Chemother 2021; 53:741-752. [PMID: 34979605 PMCID: PMC8731254 DOI: 10.3947/ic.2021.0112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Globally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has compromised human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) services. The study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the access and delivery of HIV care in Korea. Materials and Methods People living with HIV (PLHIV), people at risk of HIV (PAR) and prescribers of HIV care were recruited through a patient advocacy group, online communities for men who have sex with men (MSM) and a HIV care center for a web-based survey between October 22 and November 26, 2020. The survey compared the frequency of hospital/clinic visits, HIV-related testing, access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) or preventive medications, and experience with telehealth services by PLHIV and PAR between the pre-pandemic and pandemic eras. Results One hundred and twelve PLHIV (mean age: 38.5 ± 10.2 years), 174 PAR (mean age: 33.5 ± 8.0 years) and 9 prescribers participated the survey; ≥97% of the PLHIV and PAR were male. A greater proportion of PAR than PLHIV reported a decrease in the frequency of hospital/clinical visits (59.2% vs. 17.0%) and HIV-related testing (50.6% vs. 6.3%) since COVID-19. Among PAR, not engaging or engaging less in high-risk behaviors was the most frequently cited reason (51.1%) for decreased frequency of HIV-related tests. A substantial proportion of PLHIV (12.5%) and PAR (50.0%) experienced interrupted use of ART and HIV preventive medications, respectively. A substantial proportion of PLHIV (35.7%) and PAR (62.5%) were concerned about the long-term accessibility of HIV care, however, >90% had not used any types of telehealth services during the pandemic. Conclusion Overall, COVID-19 has negatively impacted the access and delivery of HIV services in Korea, especially HIV-related testing for PAR. Our findings highlight the need to develop strategies to mitigate the interrupted HIV care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yeni Kim
- Gilead Sciences Korea Ltd, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun Yong Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine and AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Lee E, Kim J, Bang JH, Lee JY. Suboptimal medication adherence in young women living with HIV infection: a Korean nationwide claims study. AIDS Care 2020; 33:938-942. [PMID: 33172283 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2020.1844863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The epidemiological characteristics of women living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection have gained little attention as the numbers are small compared with men living with HIV in the Republic of Korea. However, these data are important to achieve effective HIV infection control and to consider the influence of socioeconomic status on HIV transmission. This study utilized the claims database of the Korean National Health Insurance system to analyze women with a newly diagnosed HIV infection during the period 2009-2016. Adherence to antiretroviral agents was calculated using the medication possession ratio. Among 677 women with a newly diagnosed HIV infection, 219 (32.4%) were over 50 years of age; 291 (43.0%) were identified as having acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). A total of 99 women (14.6%) were National Medical Aid beneficiaries. Optimal medical adherence >95% was found in 62.2% of subjects. Teenage years (odds ratio(OR) 14.9, 95% confidence interval (95CI) 4.9-44.8), AIDS (OR 1.7, 95CI 1.2-2.3), and low economic status requiring National Medical Aid (OR 3.0, 95CI 2.0-4.6) were associated to adherence. Diagnosis prior to 2012 was also associated with poor adherence. In women, particularly young patients with low economic status, extra attention is required to enhance adherence to prescribed medication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunyoung Lee
- Division of Infectious diseases, Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Korea Institute of Radiological & Medical Sciences, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungmee Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Hwan Bang
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Yong Lee
- Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Department of Health Policy and Management, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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Choi JY. The HIV Care Cascade in Korea: Status of UNAIDS 90-90-90 Targets. J Korean Med Sci 2020; 35:e55. [PMID: 32056404 PMCID: PMC7025904 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2020.35.e55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Yong Choi
- Department of Internal Medicine, AIDS Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
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