The epidemiology of hepatitis B virus infection in Korea

The global burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is profound, and represents a public health threat as chronic infection can lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. The risk factors for chronic hepatitis B-related liver disease differ according to HBV endemicity, hepatiti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Korean journal of internal medicine 2019, 34(5), , pp.945-953
Main Authors: Yim, Sun Young, Kim, Ji Hoon
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Antiviral Agents - therapeutic use
Child
Emigration and Immigration
epidemiology
Female
Hepatitis B Vaccines - therapeutic use
hepatitis b, chronic
Hepatitis B, Chronic - epidemiology
Hepatitis B, Chronic - prevention & control
Hepatitis B, Chronic - transmission
Humans
Incidence
Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical
Male
Middle Aged
Pregnancy
Prevalence
Prognosis
Republic of Korea - epidemiology
Review
Risk Factors
Time Factors
vaccination
Young Adult
내과학
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Summary:The global burden of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is profound, and represents a public health threat as chronic infection can lead to liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and death. The risk factors for chronic hepatitis B-related liver disease differ according to HBV endemicity, hepatitis B e-antigen seropositivity, and viral load. It is important to identify these risk factors and start antiviral treatment at an appropriate time according to current guidelines. The most crucial step in reducing HBV infection is prevention in infancy or early childhood, as infection at an early stage may lead to chronicity. South Korea was formerly an HBV-endemic area, but the epidemiology of HBV infection was changed by the introduction of vaccination in 1983 and nationwide immunization in 1995. The government and the private sector made efforts to reduce the prevalence of HBV infection, and Korea is on target to meet the World Health Organization goal of eliminating viral hepatitis by 2030. To eliminate hepatitis worldwide, the costs of antiviral treatment to prevent perinatal HBV transmission in pregnant women with high viremia should be covered by a national program, and strategies to reduce the prevalence of HBV infection in immigrant populations are needed.
ISSN:1226-3303
2005-6648
DOI:10.3904/kjim.2019.007