GOALS: To estimate the direct medical costs of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection and its liver disease sequelae in South Korea. BACKGROUND: Korea is a hepatitis B-endemic area with 5.79% to 10.87% of males and 1.51% to 4.44% of females over 20 years of age carrying the virus. It is estimated that 25% of carriers will develop serious hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related complications. While vaccination programs have reduced the prevalence of hepatitis B in people younger than 20 years, significant CHB-related morbidity will continue to occur for the next 15 to 30 years until the benefits of the vaccination programs take effect. STUDY: Direct medical costs for six CHB-related disease states, including hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplant, were estimated for the year 2001. METHODS: Four data sources were used to gather information: the National Health Insurance Corporation database, patients' medical charts, expert opinion, and patient survey data. RESULTS: In 2001, the total medical costs of six CHB-related diseases were 250 million Korean Won (KRW) (equivalent to U.S. 208.6 million dollars), based on an exchange rate of KRW 1200 = US 1 dollar. Annual treatment costs per patient ranged from KRW297,392 (US 248 dollars) for chronic hepatitis B to KRW 80.6 million (U.S. 67,156 dollars) for liver transplant. The cost of treatment rose continuously with liver disease progression. The main cost driver was inpatient hospitalizations (including surgical costs). CONCLUSION: CHB-related diseases are a significant cost burden to the South Korean healthcare system. In addition to the obvious clinical benefits, the prevention or delay of chronic hepatitis B liver disease progression in South Korea could result in substantial economic benefits to the whole society.
GOALS: To estimate the direct medical costs of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) infection and its liver disease sequelae in South Korea. BACKGROUND: Korea is a hepatitis B-endemic area with 5.79% to 10.87% of males and 1.51% to 4.44% of females over 20 years of age carrying the virus. It is estimated that 25% of carriers will develop serious hepatitis B virus (HBV)-related complications. While vaccination programs have reduced the prevalence of hepatitis B in people younger than 20 years, significant CHB-related morbidity will continue to occur for the next 15 to 30 years until the benefits of the vaccination programs take effect. STUDY: Direct medical costs for six CHB-related disease states, including hepatocellular carcinoma and liver transplant, were estimated for the year 2001. METHODS: Four data sources were used to gather information: the National Health Insurance Corporation database, patients' medical charts, expert opinion, and patient survey data. RESULTS: In 2001, the total medical costs of six CHB-related diseases were 250 million Korean Won (KRW) (equivalent to U.S. 208.6 million dollars), based on an exchange rate of KRW 1200 = US 1 dollar. Annual treatment costs per patient ranged from KRW297,392 (US 248 dollars) for chronic hepatitis B to KRW 80.6 million (U.S. 67,156 dollars) for liver transplant. The cost of treatment rose continuously with liver disease progression. The main cost driver was inpatient hospitalizations (including surgical costs). CONCLUSION: CHB-related diseases are a significant cost burden to the South Korean healthcare system. In addition to the obvious clinical benefits, the prevention or delay of chronic hepatitis B liver disease progression in South Korea could result in substantial economic benefits to the whole society.
Authors: Siwaporn Chainuvati; Jun Cheng; Jin Lin Hou; Chao Wei Hsu; Ji Dong Jia; Piyawat Komolmit; So Young Kwon; Chang Hong Lee; Hong Li; Ying Li; Chun Jen Liu; Boon Leong Neo; Cheng Yuan Peng; Tawesak Tanwandee; Suchat Wongcharatrawee; Jaw Ching Wu; Ming Lung Yu; Xin Xin Zhang Journal: Hepatol Int Date: 2009-06-24 Impact factor: 6.047
Authors: Sung Soo Ahn; Seung Min Jung; Jason Jungsik Song; Yong Beom Park; Jun Yong Park; Sang Won Lee Journal: Yonsei Med J Date: 2018-05 Impact factor: 2.759