Purpose: In this study, we examined change in the number of cataract surgeries from 2013 to 2018, since the implementation of institutional changes in 2012, and the introduction of diagnosis-related groups (DRGs) and a gradual reduction in selective-medical expenses from 2014. Methods: Based on data from the main surgery statistical yearbook provided by the Korea National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS), we extracted the number of cataract surgeries nationwide by year from 2013 to 2018. Data were divided by sex, age, regions, and level of healthcare providers in an effort to understand changes that occurred in the number of cataract surgeries and the reasons for these changes. Statistical analysis was carried out using joint point regression. Results: The total number of cataract surgeries per 100,000 people increased by 32.9% over the six-year period, with an annual average increase of 5.9%. Females (58.0-59.2%) had more cataract surgeries than males (40.8-42.0%). Additionally, the number of cataract surgeries per 100,000 people rose over the six-year time frame for those aged under 40 years, and for those in their 40s, 50s, and 60s. In terms of regions and patients’ residence, urban areas such as Seoul, Pusan, and Daegu showed an increase in surgeries performed; most provinces, however, with the exception of Jeju Island, indicated a relative decline in cataract surgeries. There was no difference in the number of cataract surgeries performed over the six-year period in terms of the level of healthcare providers. Conclusions The number of cataract surgeries per 100,000 people rose over the six-year period between 2013 and 2018. By region, an increasing trend was observed in urban areas; however, the level of the healthcare providers did not appear to have an effect on the number of cataract surgeries performed.

BACKGROUND: The resurgence of tuberculosis and the widespread emergence of multidrug-resistant M. tuberculosis have emphasized the importance of rapid and accurate diagnostic procedures. Recently, the oligonucleotide chip has proven to be a useful tool in the rapid diagnosis of infectious diseases. The purpose of this study was to rapidly and accurately detect specific mutations in the rpoB, katG and rpsL genes associated with rifampin, isoniazid and streptomycin resistance in M. tuberculosis, respectively, using a single oligonucleotide chip. METHOD: For detection of drug-resistance, 7 wild-type and 13 mutant-type probes for rifampin, 2 wild-type and 3 mutant-type probes for isoniazid, and 2 wild-type and 2 mutant-type probes for streptomycin were designed and spotted onto glass slides. Fifty-five cultured samples of M. tuberculosis were amplified by PCR, and then underwent hybridization and scanning. Direct sequencing was done to verify the results from the oligonucleotide chip and to analyze the types of mutations. RESULT: Thirty-five cases out of 40 rifampin-resistant strains(~88%) had mutations in the rpoB gene. One case had a new mutation(D516F, GAC R TTC) and another known mutation together. Twenty cases out of 42 isoniazid-resistant strains(~50%) had mutations in the katG gene, while 7 cases out of 9 streptomycin-resistant strains(~78%) had mutations in the rpsL gene. From these results, the oligonucleotide chip was confirmed to be able to detect the most frequent mutations from the genes associated with rifampin, isoniazid and streptomycin resistance. The results proved that the drug-resistance detection probes were specific. When the results from the oligonucleotide chip and DNA sequencing were compared, the types of mutations were exactly matched. CONCLUSION: The diagnostic oligonucleotide chip with mutation specific probes for drug resistance is a very reliable and useful tool for the rapid and accurate diagnosis of drug resistance against rifampin, isoniazid and streptomycin in M. tuberculosis infections.
Communicable Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Glass ; Isoniazid ; Mycobacterium tuberculosis* ; Mycobacterium* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rifampin ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Streptomycin ; Tuberculosis