Trends in hospital visits and healthcare costs of gout and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis in Korea from 2010 to 2017 using National Healthcare Claims

Abstract

Background/Aims: We examined temporal trends in the rate of gout and seropositive rheumatoid arthritis (RA) hospital visits and healthcare costs in Korea. Methods: We conducted a serial cross-sectional analysis of Korean national healthcare claims. We calculated the annual increase in hospital visits (emergency department [ED] visits, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations) and total healthcare costs per visit. Results: From 2010 to 2017, the annual rates of ED visits, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations for gout increased from 6.28 to 21, from 638.38 to 1059.55, and from 12.37 to 15.6 per 100,000 persons, respectively. Before 2013, ED visits for gout were most common in patients over 70 years old, but they were most common in those aged between 30 and 49 years after 2013. The number of patients with ED visits, outpatient visits, and hospitalizations for RA from 2010 to 2017 increased from 1.25 to 1.87, from 219.04 to 307.49 and from 8.44 to 12.32 per 100,000 persons, respectively. However, there was no increase in the prevalence of ED visits for RA in any age group except for those older than 70 years. The cost per ED visit for gout significantly decreased from 496.3 to 273.6 US dollar during the study period. There was no significant change in the cost per ED visit for RA between 2010 and 2017. Conclusions: There was a large increase in ED visits for gout during the study period.Further studies are needed to analyze the reason behind increased ED visits for gout and suggest ways on how to improve gout care.

Association between serum uric acid levels of patients with gout and their complications and examination fees: A cross‐sectional analysis

“…In recent years, the incidence, prevalence, and hospital visit rate of patients with gout (inpatient and outpatient visits) have been increasing annually, showing a trend of youth, which places a heavy economic burden on patients. 10,11 In addition to the pain caused by gout itself, abnormal uric acid metabolism may also be closely related to numerous complications. [4][5][6] In a study comparing medical expenses and medical utilization between gout and non-gout patients, it was found that the average annual medical expenses of inpatients with gout were 2.9 times higher than those of outpatients with gout.…”

“…In recent years, the incidence, prevalence, and hospital visit rate of patients with gout (inpatient and outpatient visits) have been increasing annually, showing a trend of youth, which places a heavy economic burden on patients 10,11 . In addition to the pain caused by gout itself, abnormal uric acid metabolism may also be closely related to numerous complications 4–6 …”

Epidemiology and treatment-related concerns of gout and hyperuricemia in Korean

“…Recently, a study reported a large increase in hospital visits for gout between 2010 and 2017, especially emergency department visit, in Korea. Before 2013, the number of emergency room visits was high in the elderly over 70 years old, but after 2013, the number of visits to the relatively young middle-aged people of 30~50 years of age was the highest [62]. The most frequent visit to emergency room was among those in their 40s who were socially active and concerned of increase in healthcare resource utilization and indirect medical costs.…”