Incidence and Prevalence of Idiopathic Interstitial Pneumonia and Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Korea

Setting: Although the incidence and prevalence of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) have been assessed in Western countries, their epidemiology has not been analysed in Asian countries, including the Republic of Korea.

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of IIP, including IPF, in Korea, using a large, nationwide database.

Design: The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Services claims database, which includes information on every patient with diagnostic codes for IPF and IIP from 2010 to 2013, was reviewed. Age- and sex-specific IPF and IIP prevalence and incidence rates were estimated.

Results: Among Korean males and females, IPF prevalence from 2010 to 2013 was estimated at respectively 39.7 and 24.3 per 100 000 population, while IIP prevalence was estimated at respectively 97.1 and 66.5/100 000. The annual incidence rates among Korean males and females during 2011 and 2012 were respectively 16.4 and 9.7/100 000, for IPF, and respectively 42.3 and 27.5/100 000 for IIP.

Conclusions: IPF is more prevalent in Korea than previously reported; its prevalence may be similar to or higher than in the United States and in European countries.