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Lee YJ, Min J, Myong JP, Lee YH, Park YJ, Kim Y, Kim G, Park G, Lee SS, Park JS, Kim JS, Kim HW. Incidence of Tuberculosis Among Immigrants in Korea Who Participated in a Latent Tuberculosis Infection Screening Program. J Korean Med Sci 2024; 39:e207. [PMID: 39048302 PMCID: PMC11263768 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2024.39.e207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND With a rapid decrease in tuberculosis (TB) incidence, the significance of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) has been underscored in South Korea. Although South Korea does not have a high proportion of immigrants compared to other countries, there is a growing argument that it should actively embrace immigrants as a solution to address issues of low birth rates and population aging. This study aimed to assess TB incidence among immigrants who participated a pilot LTBI screening program in South Korea. METHODS Records of immigrants participated in a pilot LTBI screening program in South Korea between 2018 and 2019 were linked with Korean National TB Surveillance System to determine TB development. Participants underwent interferon-gamma release assay (IGRA) and chest X-rays. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) stratified by age, country of origin's TB burden was calculated with a reference group of general South Korean population. RESULTS Of a total of 9,517 participants, 14 TB cases were identified. Participants with positive IGRA results who did not initiate LTBI treatment showed TB incidence of 312.5 per 100,000 person-years, whereas those with negative results showed TB incidence of 34.4 per 100,000 person-years, resulting in an incidence rate ratio of 9.08 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.50-32.99). SIR of TB among total participants including those with negative IGRA results was 2.60 (95% CI, 1.54-4.38; P < 0.001), whereas SIR among those with positive IGRA results was 5.86 (95% CI, 3.15-10.89; P < 0.001). In the calculation of SIR among participants with positive IGRA results, those aged under 35 from high TB-burden countries or intermediate TB-burden countries showed a high SIR (18.08; 95% CI, 2.55-128.37; P = 0.004), and 11.30 (95% CI, 2.82-45.16; P < 0.001), respectively). Contrary to previous reports that suggest the majority of elderly population with a positive IGRA result were due to remote infection and had a lower TB risk compared to younger ages, SIR among those aged 65 or over from intermediate TB-burden countries was 6.15 (95% CI, 0.87-43.69; P = 0.069), which was comparable to that in younger participants aged between 35 and 49 (SIR, 4.87; 95% CI, 1.22-19.49; P = 0.025) or those aged between 50 and 64 (SIR, 4.62; 95% CI, 1.73-12.31; P = 0.002). CONCLUSION Young immigrants with positive IGRA results from countries with high or intermediate TB burden showed a relatively high TB risk compared to a general South Korea population. In addition, unexpected high TB risk was observed among elderly immigrants with positive IGRA results. In establishing future policies for LTBI in immigrants in South Korea, screenings should primarily focus on younger age group (who aged under 35). Additionally, further research is needed on the high TB risk observed in elderly immigrants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo Jung Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jinsoo Min
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun-Pyo Myong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yun-Hee Lee
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Young-Joon Park
- Division of Tuberculosis Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Yujin Kim
- Division of Tuberculosis Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Gahee Kim
- Division of Tuberculosis Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Gyuri Park
- Division of Tuberculosis Policy, Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, Cheongju, Korea
| | - Sung-Soon Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jae Seuk Park
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Ju Sang Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Hyung Woo Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
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Oh IS, Kim JH, Huh K, Jang SH, Shin JY. Impact of National Public-Private Mix and Medical Expense Support Program to Control Tuberculosis in South Korea: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis. J Infect Dis 2024; 229:1878-1882. [PMID: 38366017 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiae059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major threat to global public health. Various measures at the national level have been implemented to control TB, and no evidence with long-term effectiveness has yet been evaluated on TB control programs. We confirmed the long-term effectiveness of the TB control programs in reducing overall burden in South Korea using interrupted time series analysis. Our finding suggests that, along with the public-private mix, relieving the economic burden of people with TB may complement achieving the End TB Strategy. For countries currently developing strategies for TB control, results may provide important insights in effective TB control.
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Affiliation(s)
- In-Sun Oh
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Lady Davis Institute, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, Québec, Canada
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada
| | - Ju Hwan Kim
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biohealth Regulatory Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Kyungmin Huh
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Hun Jang
- Department of Pulmonary, Allergy and Critical Care Medicine, Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital, Anyang, South Korea
- Lung Research Institute, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Ju-Young Shin
- School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Biohealth Regulatory Science, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, South Korea
- Department of Clinical Research Design and Evaluation, Samsung Advanced Institute for Health Sciences and Technology, Seoul, South Korea
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Yu S, Jeong D, Kang HY, Kang YA, Lee GI, Choi H. A Quasi-experimental Study on the Effect of Pre-entry Tuberculosis Screening for Immigrants on Treatment Outcomes in South Korea: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis. J Epidemiol Glob Health 2024; 14:154-161. [PMID: 38261173 PMCID: PMC11043236 DOI: 10.1007/s44197-023-00181-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study ascertains the effects of the pre-entry tuberculosis (TB) screening policy, which was implemented as a strategy for managing TB among immigrants, on the treatment outcomes of immigrants in South Korea. METHODS This study linked three different datasets from 2013 to 2018, namely (1) Korean National Tuberculosis Surveillance System; (2) National Health Information Database for patients diagnosed with TB with ICD code A15-A19, B90, or U84.3; and (3) Statistics Korea database related to cause of deaths. To identify the effect of the policy, cohorts comprising Korean and immigrant TB patients notified before (January 1, 2013-December 31, 2015) and after (September 1, 2016-December 31, 2018), the implementations of the policy were established. A difference-in-differences (DID) analysis of the treatment success and mortality rates was performed. RESULTS Data from 100,262 TB patients were included in the analysis (before policy implementation: 1240 immigrants and 65,723 Koreans; after policy implementation: 256 immigrants and 33,043 Koreans). The propensity score matching-DID analysis results showed that the difference in the treatment success rate between immigrants and Koreans decreased significantly, from 16% before to 6% after the policy implementation. The difference in the mortality rate between the two groups decreased from - 3% before to - 1% after the policy implementation; however, this difference was insignificant. CONCLUSION The treatment outcomes of immigrant TB patients in South Korea improved after the implementation of the pre-entry active TB screening policy. Future immigrant TB policies should consider establishing active patient support strategies and a healthcare collaboration system between countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Yu
- School of Health Policy and Management, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dawoon Jeong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Yeon Kang
- Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Ae Kang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Immunology and Immunological Disease, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyeong In Lee
- The Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Korean National Tuberculosis Association, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongjo Choi
- School of Health Policy and Management, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- BK21 FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Min J, Kim HW, Choi JY, Shin AY, Kang JY, Lee Y, Myong JP, Jeong H, Bae S, Koo HK, Lee SS, Park JS, Yim HW, Kim JS. Latent Tuberculosis Cascade of Care Among Healthcare Workers: A Nationwide Cohort Analysis in Korea Between 2017 and 2018. J Korean Med Sci 2022; 37:e164. [PMID: 35607742 PMCID: PMC9127432 DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In 2017, Korea implemented nationwide latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) project targeting healthcare workers (HCWs). We aimed to assess its performance using the cascade of care model. METHODS We included 45,503 employees of medical institutions with positive interferon-gamma release assay result who participated between March 2017 and December 2018. We described percentages of LTBI participants completing each step in the cascade of care. Poisson regression model was conducted to assess individual characteristics and factors associated with not-visiting clinics for further care, not-initiating LTBI treatment, and not-completing treatment. RESULTS Proportions of visiting clinics and initiating and completing treatment in HCWs were 54.9%, 38.5%, and 32.0%, respectively. Despite of less likelihood of visiting clinics and initiating LTBI treatment, older age ≥ 65 years were more likely to complete treatment (adjusted relative risk [aRR], 0.80; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.99), compared to young age < 35 years. Compared to nurses, doctors were less likely to visit clinic; however, were more likely to initiate treatment (aRR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.81-0.96). Those who visited public health centers were associated with not-initiating treatment (aRR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.29-1.40). When treated at private hospitals, 9-month isoniazid monotherapy was less likely to complete treatment, compared to 3-month isoniazid and rifampicin combination therapy (aRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.16-1.53). CONCLUSION Among employees of medical institutions with LTBI, only one third completed treatment. Age, occupation, treatment center, and initial regimen were significantly related to LTBI treatment performance indicators. Rifampicin-based short treatment regimens were effective under standard of care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinsoo Min
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyung Woo Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Joon Young Choi
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ah Young Shin
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji Young Kang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Yunhee Lee
- Department of Urology, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jun-Pyo Myong
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyunsuk Jeong
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Sanghyuk Bae
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyeon-Kyoung Koo
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Sung-Soon Lee
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Ilsan Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea
| | - Jae Seuk Park
- Division of Pulmonary Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Dankook University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea
| | - Hyeon Woo Yim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
| | - Ju Sang Kim
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Incheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
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Lee S, Kim MJ, Lee SH, Kim HY, Kim HS, Oh IH. Comparison of Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) and Economic Burden on People With Drug-Susceptible Tuberculosis and Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Korea. Front Public Health 2022; 10:848370. [PMID: 35480575 PMCID: PMC9037376 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.848370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the future, tuberculosis (TB) will place a heavy burden on the aging population in Korea. To prepare for this crisis, it is important to analyze the disease burden trend of drug-susceptible tuberculosis (DS-TB) and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Measuring disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) and economic burden on MDR-TB patients can help reduce the incidence of TB. Accordingly, in this study, we measured the DALYs and economic burden on DS-TB and MDR-TB patients in 2014-2017 using a combination of National Health Insurance claims data, Annual Report on the Notified TB data, and Statistics Korea's mortality data. The incidence-based DALY approach implemented involved the summation of years of life lost and years lived with disability. For measuring economic burden, direct and indirect costs incurred by patients were totaled. From 2014 to 2017, DALYs per 100,000 people with DS-TB were 56, 49, 46, and 40, respectively, and DALYs per 100,000 people with MDR-TB were 3, 2, 2, and 2, respectively. The economic burden for the DS-TB population from 2014 to 2017 was $143.89 million, $136.36 million, $122.85 million, and $116.62 million, respectively, while that for MDR-TB was $413.44 million, $380.25 million, $376.46 million and $408.14 million, respectively. The results showed a decreasing trend in DALYs and economic burden for DS-TB, whereas MDR-TB was still found to be burdensome without a specific trend. With respect to age, the economic burden for both DS-TB and MDR-TB was higher among men than among women till ≤ 79 years. Conversely, the economic burden for women aged ≥80 years was higher as compared to their male counterparts. In conclusion, the incidence and spread of TB in all areas of society must be suppressed through intensive management of MDR-TB in the older population. We hope that the national TB management project will proceed efficiently when the infectious disease management system is biased to one side due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- SeungCheor Lee
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Moon Jung Kim
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Seung Heon Lee
- Division of Pulmonary, Sleep and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan-si, South Korea
| | - Hae-Young Kim
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Hee-Sun Kim
- Department of Health Policy Research, National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, South Korea
| | - In-Hwan Oh
- Department of Medicine (AgeTech-Service Convergence Major), School of Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, South Korea
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Yu S, Jeong D, Choi H. The burden and predictors of latent tuberculosis infection among immigrants in South Korea: a retrospective cross-sectional study. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1206. [PMID: 34861855 PMCID: PMC8641149 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06922-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Approximately one-fourth of the global population is latently infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. An understanding of the burden of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among immigrants compared with the general Korean population should be the first step in identifying priority groups for LTBI diagnosis and treatment. The study aimed to compute the age-standardized LTBI prevalence and predictors among immigrants with LTBI in South Korea. METHODS In 2018, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency implemented a pilot LTBI screening project for immigrants using a chest radiography and the QuantiFERON Gold In-Tube assay. A standardized prevalence ratio (SPR) was computed to compare the LTBI burden in immigrants and the general Korean population. RESULTS During the duration of the project, a total of 8108 immigrants (5134 males and 2974 females) underwent LTBI screening. The SPR of 1.547 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.468-1.629) in males and 1.261 (95% CI 1.177-1.349) in females were both higher than the Korean reference population. Furthermore, among the immigrants, those aged < 40 years and Korean diaspora visa holders had a higher SPR. CONCLUSION This study found a higher LTBI prevalence among immigrant population in South Korea compared to that in the general Korean population, and the SPR was higher among those aged < 40 years and the Korean diaspora. The findings can be used as baseline evidence for including immigrants in South Korea in the at-risk group with a priority need for LTBI screening and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Yu
- Division of Health Policy, Research Center, The Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Cheongju, Republic of Korea.,School of Health Policy and Management, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea.,Transdiciplinary Major in Learning Health Systems, Department of Healthcare Sciences, Graduate School, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dawoon Jeong
- Division of Health Policy, Research Center, The Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongjo Choi
- Division of Health Policy, Research Center, The Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Cheongju, Republic of Korea. .,Department of Preventive Medicine, Konyang University College of Medicine, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
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Yu S, Sohn H, Kim HY, Kim H, Oh KH, Kim HJ, Chung H, Choi H. Evaluating the impact of the nationwide public-private mix (PPM) program for tuberculosis under National Health Insurance in South Korea: A difference in differences analysis. PLoS Med 2021; 18:e1003717. [PMID: 34260579 PMCID: PMC8318235 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pmed.1003717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2019] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Public-private mix (PPM) programs on tuberculosis (TB) have a critical role in engaging and integrating the private sector into the national TB control efforts in order to meet the End TB Strategy targets. South Korea's PPM program can provide important insights on the long-term impact and policy gaps in the development and expansion of PPM as a nationwide program. METHODS AND FINDINGS Healthcare is privatized in South Korea, and a majority (80.3% in 2009) of TB patients sought care in the private sector. Since 2009, South Korea has rapidly expanded its PPM program coverage under the National Health Insurance (NHI) scheme as a formal national program with dedicated PPM nurses managing TB patients in both the private and public sectors. Using the difference in differences (DID) analytic framework, we compared relative changes in TB treatment outcomes-treatment success (TS) and loss to follow-up (LTFU)-in the private and public sector between the 2009 and 2014 TB patient cohorts. Propensity score matching (PSM) using the kernel method was done to adjust for imbalances in the covariates between the 2 population cohorts. The 2009 cohort included 6,195 (63.0% male, 37.0% female; mean age: 42.1) and 27,396 (56.1% male, 43.9% female; mean age: 45.7) TB patients in the public and private sectors, respectively. The 2014 cohort included 2,803 (63.2% male, 36.8% female; mean age: 50.1) and 29,988 (56.5% male, 43.5% female; mean age: 54.7) patients. In both the private and public sectors, the proportion of patients with transfer history decreased (public: 23.8% to 21.7% and private: 20.8% to 17.6%), and bacteriological confirmed disease increased (public: 48.9% to 62.3% and private: 48.8% to 58.1%) in 2014 compared to 2009. After expanding nationwide PPM, absolute TS rates improved by 9.10% (87.5% to 93.4%) and by 13.6% (from 70.3% to 83.9%) in the public and private sectors. Relative to the public, the private saw 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.9% to 5.3%, p-value < 0.001) and -8.7% (95% CI -9.7% to -7.7%, p-value <0.001) higher rates of improvement in TS and reduction in LTFU. Treatment outcomes did not improve in patients who experienced at least 1 transfer during their TB treatment. Study limitations include non-longitudinal nature of our original dataset, inability to assess the regional disparities, and verify PPM program's impact on TB mortality. CONCLUSIONS We found that the nationwide scale-up of the PPM program was associated with improvements in TB treatment outcomes in the private sector in South Korea. Centralized financial governance and regulatory mechanisms were integral in facilitating the integration of highly diverse South Korean private sector into the national TB control program and scaling up of the PPM intervention nationwide. However, TB care gaps continued to exist for patients who transferred at least once during their treatment. These programmatic gaps may be improved through reducing administrative hurdles and making programmatic amendments that can help facilitate management TB patients between institutions and healthcare sectors, as well as across administrative regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Yu
- Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Korean National Tuberculosis Association, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- School of Health Policy & Management, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hojoon Sohn
- Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Hae-Young Kim
- School of Health Policy & Management, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunwoo Kim
- Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Korean National Tuberculosis Association, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence, and Impact, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kyung-Hyun Oh
- Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Korean National Tuberculosis Association, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- End TB and Leprosy Unit, World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific, Manila, Philippines
| | - Hee-Jin Kim
- Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Korean National Tuberculosis Association, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Haejoo Chung
- School of Health Policy & Management, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 FOUR R&E Center for Learning Health Systems, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hongjo Choi
- Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Korean National Tuberculosis Association, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Son E, Jeon D. Current situation of tuberculosis and National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control in Korea. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2021. [DOI: 10.5124/jkma.2021.64.4.316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Tuberculosis (TB) remains a serious public health problem in Korea. Korea has the highest incidence rate (59 per 100,000 population) and the second-highest TB mortality rate (four per 100,000 population) among Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development member countries. However, some progress has been made in TB control over the past decade. The notification rate of new TB cases has been gradually decreasing since reaching its highest rate in 2011 (78.9 per 100,000 population). In 2019, the notification rate of new TB cases was 46.4 per 100,000 population, with a reduction of 9.9% from the 2018 rate. Additionally, the number of multidrug-resistant TB cases decreased from 618 in 2018 to 580 in 2019. This progress is thought the result of various TB control programs including a TB public–private mix model, insurance coverage for TB management, and a contact investigation program. Despite the progress made, new challenges have also emerged. The predominant challenges lie in the relatively increasing burden of TB in the vulnerable population (aging, socio-economically vulnerable, and foreign-born population), the implementation of latent TB infection management, and the high rate of multidrug-resistant TB. Since 2019, the Korean government has been implementing the “Midterm strategies to strengthen TB prevention and management” based on the 2nd National Strategic Plan for Tuberculosis Control (2018-2022). This program will be a turning point of TB control in Korea. The results produced in 2023 is expected to be favorable.
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Jeon D. Latent tuberculosis infection: recent progress and challenges in South Korea. Korean J Intern Med 2020; 35:269-275. [PMID: 32131570 PMCID: PMC7061001 DOI: 10.3904/kjim.2020.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Management of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) is a critical element in the elimination of tuberculosis (TB). However, the low positive predictive value of the current diagnostic tests and the low acceptance and completion rate of the isoniazid- based regimen are major barriers to the implementation and scale-up of programmatic management of LTBI. In the past decade, there has been some progress in the conception, diagnosis, and treatment of LTBI. LTBI is now understood as a dynamic spectrum rather than the traditional binary distinction between active and latent TB. New insight into LTBI has led to a renewed interest in incipient TB, which would be a potential target for developing new diagnostics and therapeutics of LTBI. Recent studies showed that host transcriptomic signatures could be a potential biomarker for incipient TB. The new shorter rifamycin-based regimens have shown comparable efficacy, but better completion rate and safety compared to the isoniazid-based regimen. In South Korea, LTBI management has been expanded and integrated into key elements of the National Tuberculosis Control Program. For the programmatic approach to LTBI management, the following challenges need to be addressed; target group selection, treatment-related interventions, monitoring and surveillance system, and extending the plan for vulnerable groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doosoo Jeon
- Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, Yangsan, Korea
- Correspondence to Doosoo Jeon, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital, 20 Geumo-ro, Mulgeum-eup, Yangsan 50612, Korea Tel: +82-55-360-1414 Fax: +82-55-360-1757 E-mail:
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