title: Utilization of laboratory tests for tuberculosis and mycobacterial disease in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Korea, a large portion of tuberculosis (TB) patients are diagnosed and treated in private institutes. Laboratory tests are crucial for TB control. There are many possible problems using laboratory tests in the private sector. In this study, we aimed to investigate the characteristics and trends of utilizing laboratory tests for TB and mycobacterial diseases in the private sector by analyzing the National Health Insurance (NHI) database.
  
  
  METHODS
  After selecting TB or other mycobacteria-related test items, we searched the number and cost of each item on the website of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service using the code of each test from 2007 to 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our data revealed that the number and cost of tests drastically increased between 2007 and 2012. Culture and molecular tests primarily contributed to the tremendous increases. For each year, concentrated smearing and fluorochrome staining were more commonly used. The number of serologic tests for latent TB infection stagnated, despite the expansion of contact investigation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The NHI data could be considerably useful for understanding the utilization trends of laboratory tests for TB and mycobacterial diseases in Korea. Our data showed that TB laboratory systems have recently improved. In this study, many issues were noticed. Therefore, solutions to these issues are required and the continued monitoring of NHI data regarding laboratory diagnosis.
authors: Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Chang-Ki
authors: CK
authors: Kim
authors: Korean Institute of Tuberculosis, Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Sung Won
authors: SW
authors: Choi
authors: Division of Tuberculosis and Bacterial Respiratory Infections, Korea National Institute of Health, Cheongju, Korea.
authors: Mi-Sun
authors: MS
authors: Park
keywords: Korea; laboratory test; mycobacterial infection; tuberculsosis