This study investigated lung cancer risk in people infected with tuberculosis (TB) compared to the general population and evaluated factors associated with lung cancer in TB-infected individuals. Mandatory reported TB infection case data in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea (2010 to 2016) were obtained and linked with medical usage and health screening data from the National Health Information Database. Lung cancer incidence in patients with TB was compared to that in the general population using standardized incidence ratio (SIR), adjusted for age and sex. Lung cancer risk factors in patients with TB were studied using the Cox proportional hazards model. By April 2022, 1.26% (n = 444) of 35,140 patients developed lung cancer after TB diagnosis. Compared to the incidence in the general population, increased lung cancer risk in people with TB was observed (SIR: 2.04, 95% CI: 1.85-2.23). Multivariate analysis showed increased lung cancer in TB-infected individuals, associated with being male (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.65-3.04), 1-year increase of age (HR: 1.09, 95% CI: 1.08-1.10), ever smoking (HR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.02-1.97), and amount of daily smoking with one pack or more (HR: 2.17, 95% CI: 1.63-2.89). Increased lung cancer risk was noted in patients with TB compared to the general population, and sex, age, and smoking were factors associated with lung cancer in patients with TB.

OBJECTIVES: This study explored 11 years of malaria data from mandatory reporting in Gyeonggi Province, Korea, to provide information for prevention strategies by linkage to nationwide health claims data. METHODS: Reported malaria cases in Gyeonggi Province from 2011 to 2021 were linked to medical usage data from the National Health Insurance Database. Data about hospitalization, antibiotic prescription and duration, malarial species, and sociodemographic information of the cases were included. RESULTS: Between 2011 and 2021, a total of 3,011 malaria cases were reported, consisting of 2,828 domestic (93.9%) and 183 imported (6.1%) cases. Over 80% of the cases involved males, with the majority of patients being in their 20s. Both domestic and imported cases peaked between June and August over the years. Imported cases had a higher hospitalization rate (66.9%) compared to domestically-acquired cases (54.9%). There was a significant variation in treatment rates, with 80.7% of imported cases and 74.6% of domestic cases receiving treatment. For domestic cases, chloroquine combined with primaquine was the most commonly prescribed treatment (77.0%), while atovaquone-proguanil was frequently used for imported cases (25.9%). Plasmodium vivax was the predominant species in domestic cases (94.9%), whereas P. malariae was more common in imported cases (62.3%). The overall number of reported malaria cases declined following a sharp decrease in imported cases in 2020 and 2021. CONCLUSIONS Despite a decreasing trend in malaria cases reported in Gyeonggi Province, imported cases exhibited higher hospitalization rates and different antibiotic prescription and treatment patterns, reflecting the presence of a different malarial species.

Background: The Korea Expert Committee on Immunization Practices (KECIP) is a key advisory body the government to develop guidelines and provide technical advisory activities on immunization policies in Korea. A recent policy study, inspired by global best practices, aims to enhance KECIP's functionality for providing timely and transparent recommendations in the face of evolving vaccine science and emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19. Methods: This study reviewed the current status of KECIP and collected expert opinions through surveys and consultations. Among the 40 panel members who were surveyed, 19 responded to a questionnaire specifically designed to assess the potential areas of improvement within KECIP. Results: The majority of respondents favored maintaining the current member count and emphasized the need for a subcommittee. Opinions varied on issues such as the length of KECIP’s term, the representation of vaccine manufacturers’ perspectives, and the chairperson’s role. However, there was a consensus on the importance of expertise, transparency, and fair proceedings within the committee. Conclusion This study underscores the pivotal role of KECIP in shaping national immunization policies, emphasizing the necessity for informed guidance amidst evolving vaccine science and emerging infectious diseases. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of enhancing KECIP’s capacity to effectively address evolving public health challenges and maintain successful immunization programs in South Korea.