Recent Epidemiologic Changes of Acute and Chronic Hepatitis in Korea.
10.5124/jkma.2005.48.5.423
- Author:
Kwan Soo BYUN
1
Author Information
1. Department of Intern Medicine, Korea Univesity College of Medicine, Guro Hospital, Korea. Kwsbyun@unitel.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Acute hepatitis;
Chronic hepatitis;
Epidemiology;
Korea
- MeSH:
Adolescent;
Adult;
Child;
Economic Development;
Epidemiology;
Female;
Hepatitis A;
Hepatitis A Antibodies;
Hepatitis B Surface Antigens;
Hepatitis, Chronic*;
Humans;
Incidence;
Korea*;
Male;
Prevalence;
Seroepidemiologic Studies;
Young Adult
- From:Journal of the Korean Medical Association
2005;48(5):423-427
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
In Korea, the pattern of age-specific seroprevalence of anti-HAV has changed with economic growth. The prevalence of anti-HAV in age 1~20 years declined from 60% in 1980 to 9% in 1995. As a result, this age group has a high risk for HAV infection, and actually the incidence of clinically overt hepatitis A is increasing in adolescents and young adults recently. In contrast, the prevalence of HBV carriers has been markedly decreased up to less than 1% in children because of the preventive strategies for HBV infection. The prevalence of HBsAg among Korean adults also declined from 8.0% in male and 6.1% in female in the 1980s to 7.4% in male and 3.6% in female in 1997. This article reviews recent epidemiologic changes of acute and chronic hepatitis in Korea.
