Age-period-cohort analysis of hepatitis A incidence rates in Korea from 2002 to 2012

Abstract

OBJECTIVESThis study aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of hepatitis A in Korea from 2002 to 2012 using age-period-cohort analyses.METHODSWe used claims data from the Korean National Health Insurance Corporation for the entire population. Census data from 2010 were used as the standard population. The incidence of hepatitis A was assumed to have a Poisson distribution, and the models and effects were evaluated using the intrinsic estimator method, the likelihood ratio, and the Akaike information criterion.RESULTSThe incidence of hepatitis A gradually increased until 2007 (from 17.55 to 35.72 per 100,000 population) and peaked in 2009 (177.47 per 100,000 population). The highest incidence was observed among 27-29-year-old individuals when we omitted data from 2005 to 2007. From 2005 to 2007, the peak incidence was observed among 24-26-year-old individuals, followed by 27-29-year-olds. The best model fits were observed when the age-period-cohort variables were all considered at the same time for males, females, and the whole population.CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of hepatitis A exhibited significant age-period-cohort effects; its incidence peaked in 2009 and was especially high among Koreans 20-39 years of age. These epidemiological patterns may help predict when high incidence rates of hepatitis A may occur in developing countries during their socioeconomic development.

Causes and countermeasures for repeated outbreaks of hepatitis A among adults in Korea

“…Therefore, the hepatitis A outbreak began when individuals born in the 1990s reached their 20s; as the age of this birth cohort increased, the hepatitis A incidence and severity have also increased. Therefore, the need for catch-up vaccination for this age group has been suggested [5].…”

Viral Hepatitis in South Korea

“…Patients with HAV infection usually report recent overseas travel to endemic areas, ingestion of seafood, and catered food service. 4 Due to improved level of sanitation in S. Korea over past few decades, the incidence of HAV infection in children is relatively low at 11.4 to 12.8 individuals per 100,000 people in the age group under 10. The incidence for adolescents ranges from 26.1 to 49.7 individuals per 100,000 people.…”

Hepatitis A vaccination

“…In recent years, hepatitis A outbreaks were reported frequently among populations in age groups not covered by the UCVP in Korea. 105 A catch-up campaign for HepA among older children or adults was recommended to deal with this challenge. 105 – 109 The other issue is the hepatitis A outbreaks frequently reported in developed countries in recent years.…”

“… 105 A catch-up campaign for HepA among older children or adults was recommended to deal with this challenge. 105 – 109 The other issue is the hepatitis A outbreaks frequently reported in developed countries in recent years. With the development of globalization across economic, political, cultural and other domains, some hepatitis A outbreaks occur through traveling and imported food in developed countries.…”