H K Choi1, G H Seo2, E Han3. 1. College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Yonsei University, Inchoen, Republic of Korea; Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University Ansan Hospital, Ansan, Republic of Korea. 2. Healthcare Review and Assessment Committee, Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Seoul, Republic of Korea. 3. College of Pharmacy, Yonsei Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, Yonsei University, Inchoen, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: eunahan@yonsei.ac.kr.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare but fatal disease, and there is no known annual incidence of NF in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and seasonal variation of NF in Korea. METHODS: We analysed claims from the nationwide Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Patients who were hospitalized with an NF diagnosis code and received surgical intervention were classified as NF cases. Poisson regression models were used to assess the relationships of incidence rates with year, age and sex. A multivariate Poisson regression model was used to investigate variations in monthly NF incidence trends. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2017, the overall average annual NF incidence rate was found to be 0.86 per 100 000 population. NF incidence increased with age and was 2.5 times higher among males across all age groups. Two-thirds of cases occurred among patients with diabetes. The peak NF incidence occurred during the summer. Multivariate Poisson regression modelling using national meteorological variables suggested that mean temperatures and number of NF cases in the previous month were associated with the number of NF cases in the current month. DISCUSSION: Clinicians should consider NF when encountering an elderly man with diabetes during the summer.
INTRODUCTION:Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a rare but fatal disease, and there is no known annual incidence of NF in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence and seasonal variation of NF in Korea. METHODS: We analysed claims from the nationwide Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Patients who were hospitalized with an NF diagnosis code and received surgical intervention were classified as NF cases. Poisson regression models were used to assess the relationships of incidence rates with year, age and sex. A multivariate Poisson regression model was used to investigate variations in monthly NF incidence trends. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2017, the overall average annual NF incidence rate was found to be 0.86 per 100 000 population. NF incidence increased with age and was 2.5 times higher among males across all age groups. Two-thirds of cases occurred among patients with diabetes. The peak NF incidence occurred during the summer. Multivariate Poisson regression modelling using national meteorological variables suggested that mean temperatures and number of NF cases in the previous month were associated with the number of NF cases in the current month. DISCUSSION: Clinicians should consider NF when encountering an elderly man with diabetes during the summer.