Incidence and prevalence of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Korea.
Although the incidence and prevalence of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been assessed in Western countries, their epidemiology has not been analysed in Asian countries, including the Republic of Korea.



To estimate the prevalence and incidence of IIP, including IPF, in Korea, using a large, nationwide database.



The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services claims database, which includes information on every patient with diagnostic codes for IPF and IIP from 2010 to 2013, was reviewed. Age- and sex-specific IPF and IIP prevalence and incidence rates were estimated.



Among Korean males and females, IPF prevalence from 2010 to 2013 was estimated at respectively 39.7 and 24.3 per 100 000 population, while IIP prevalence was estimated at respectively 97.1 and 66.5/100 000. The annual incidence rates among Korean males and females during 2011 and 2012 were respectively 16.4 and 9.7/100 000, for IPF, and respectively 42.3 and 27.5/100 000 for IIP.



IPF is more prevalent in Korea than previously reported; its prevalence may be similar to or higher than in the United States and in European countries.
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
H-E
HE
Lee
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
J-P
JP
Myong
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
H-R
HR
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
C K
CK
Rhee
Department of Internal Medicine, Yeouido St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
H-K
HK
Yoon
Department of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Seoul St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
J-W
JW
Koo
D017677:Age Distribution; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054988:Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonias / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D054990:Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors