JOURNALS
2025
5.
Junyong Park; Hwa-Jin Cho; Sunyong Yoo; Mim-Keun Song
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Dimensions | Tags: Medical informatics, National health insurance service
@article{Park2025,
title = {Characteristics of Children with Disability through Infant and Children’s Health Screening in South Korea},
author = {Junyong Park and Hwa-Jin Cho and Sunyong Yoo and Mim-Keun Song},
doi = {10.1080/07853890.2025.2525401},
isbn = {1651-2219},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-09-09},
urldate = {2025-09-09},
journal = {Annals of Medicine},
volume = {57},
issue = {1},
abstract = {Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological data of children with disabilities obtained by the INfants and Children’s Health Screening (INCHS) program in South Korea.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective case-control study by extracting data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database for children who were diagnosed with disabilities within 60 months of birth. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were performed to compare 35,072 children born after the introduction of the INCHS program (2008–2014) with a control group born before (2002–2007). The analysis included disability registration rates by region and income, the statistical significance of timing of disability detection, and time taken to receive disability diagnosis after the INCHS program began.
Results
Data on a total of 35,072 children were analyzed, revealing a significant increase (P < 0.001) in disability detection among the case group after 36 months compared with the control group. Although the average time to detect disabilities varied by disability type, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in the proportion of hospital visits within 7 vs. 30 days between mild and severe groups. This suggests that the INCHS program can increase disability detection rates after 36 months and that there is potential for earlier disability detection.
Conclusions
The INCHS program positively influenced the detection of disabilities after 36 months suggesting potential limitations in early detection. Efforts are needed to address delays in diagnosing disability and improve access to early intervention, particularly for children with mild disabilities.},
note = {Correspondence to Sunyong Yoo and Mim-Keun Song},
keywords = {Medical informatics, National health insurance service},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological data of children with disabilities obtained by the INfants and Children’s Health Screening (INCHS) program in South Korea.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective case-control study by extracting data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database for children who were diagnosed with disabilities within 60 months of birth. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were performed to compare 35,072 children born after the introduction of the INCHS program (2008–2014) with a control group born before (2002–2007). The analysis included disability registration rates by region and income, the statistical significance of timing of disability detection, and time taken to receive disability diagnosis after the INCHS program began.
Results
Data on a total of 35,072 children were analyzed, revealing a significant increase (P < 0.001) in disability detection among the case group after 36 months compared with the control group. Although the average time to detect disabilities varied by disability type, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in the proportion of hospital visits within 7 vs. 30 days between mild and severe groups. This suggests that the INCHS program can increase disability detection rates after 36 months and that there is potential for earlier disability detection.
Conclusions
The INCHS program positively influenced the detection of disabilities after 36 months suggesting potential limitations in early detection. Efforts are needed to address delays in diagnosing disability and improve access to early intervention, particularly for children with mild disabilities.
This study aimed to investigate the epidemiological data of children with disabilities obtained by the INfants and Children’s Health Screening (INCHS) program in South Korea.
Methods
We conducted a retrospective case-control study by extracting data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service Database for children who were diagnosed with disabilities within 60 months of birth. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were performed to compare 35,072 children born after the introduction of the INCHS program (2008–2014) with a control group born before (2002–2007). The analysis included disability registration rates by region and income, the statistical significance of timing of disability detection, and time taken to receive disability diagnosis after the INCHS program began.
Results
Data on a total of 35,072 children were analyzed, revealing a significant increase (P < 0.001) in disability detection among the case group after 36 months compared with the control group. Although the average time to detect disabilities varied by disability type, no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05) was found in the proportion of hospital visits within 7 vs. 30 days between mild and severe groups. This suggests that the INCHS program can increase disability detection rates after 36 months and that there is potential for earlier disability detection.
Conclusions
The INCHS program positively influenced the detection of disabilities after 36 months suggesting potential limitations in early detection. Efforts are needed to address delays in diagnosing disability and improve access to early intervention, particularly for children with mild disabilities.
4.
DoHyeon Lee; Samel Park; Hyejin Yu; Eunjung Cho; Seung Seok Han; Eun Sil Koh; Byung Ha Chung; Kyung Hwan Jeong; Soo Jeong Choi; Eun Young Lee; Su Hyun Kim; Eun Hui Bae; Sunyong Yoo; Young Joo Kwon
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Dimensions | Tags: Medical informatics, National health insurance service
@article{Lee2025b,
title = {Current treatment status of fabry disease in South Korea: a longitudinal National health insurance service data-based study},
author = {DoHyeon Lee and Samel Park and Hyejin Yu and Eunjung Cho and Seung Seok Han and Eun Sil Koh and Byung Ha Chung and Kyung Hwan Jeong and Soo Jeong Choi and Eun Young Lee and Su Hyun Kim and Eun Hui Bae and Sunyong Yoo and Young Joo Kwon
},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13023-025-03863-5?utm_source=rct_congratemailt&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=oa_20250710&utm_content=10.1186/s13023-025-03863-5},
doi = {10.1186/s13023-025-03863-5},
issn = {1750-1172},
year = {2025},
date = {2025-07-10},
urldate = {2025-07-10},
journal = {Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases},
volume = {20},
number = {355},
abstract = {Background
Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by a mutation of the gene that encodes the α-galactosidase A enzyme. Treatment for FD is based on an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), such as agalsidase-β, agalsidase-α, and migalastat. However, studies analyzing effects and outcomes of ERT in FD patients in South Korea are limited.
Materials and methods
Treatment status and clinical outcomes of patients with FD in South Korea were investigated using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). The NHIS provides a comprehensive range of data across the entire Korean population, enabling an in-depth analysis of clinical outcomes associated with FD, including coronary composite heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Results
A total of 228 patients with FD were discovered. The diagnosis was earlier in males (n = 120) than in females (n = 108). Almost 90% of patients were treated only with intravenous agalsidase-β or -α. A total of 15 patients switched from agalsidase to migalastat. All clinical outcomes manifested at an earlier age in males than in females. Particularly, ESKD was more prevalent in males, both before and after diagnosis of FD. Patients who had ESKD at the time of FD diagnosis exhibited a higher hazard ratio (HR) for mortality (HR: 5.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.44–17.46).
Conclusions
Our study showed the current treatment status and clinical outcomes in patients with FD in South Korea. Prior to the diagnosis of FD, a considerable number of patients had already reached ESKD, suggesting a lack of awareness of FD among clinicians. Given the higher mortality rate observed in patients with FD and accompanying ESKD, the necessity to improve awareness of FD is highlighted to facilitate early diagnosis.},
note = {Correspondence to Sunyong Yoo and Young Joo Kwon},
keywords = {Medical informatics, National health insurance service},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background
Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by a mutation of the gene that encodes the α-galactosidase A enzyme. Treatment for FD is based on an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), such as agalsidase-β, agalsidase-α, and migalastat. However, studies analyzing effects and outcomes of ERT in FD patients in South Korea are limited.
Materials and methods
Treatment status and clinical outcomes of patients with FD in South Korea were investigated using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). The NHIS provides a comprehensive range of data across the entire Korean population, enabling an in-depth analysis of clinical outcomes associated with FD, including coronary composite heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Results
A total of 228 patients with FD were discovered. The diagnosis was earlier in males (n = 120) than in females (n = 108). Almost 90% of patients were treated only with intravenous agalsidase-β or -α. A total of 15 patients switched from agalsidase to migalastat. All clinical outcomes manifested at an earlier age in males than in females. Particularly, ESKD was more prevalent in males, both before and after diagnosis of FD. Patients who had ESKD at the time of FD diagnosis exhibited a higher hazard ratio (HR) for mortality (HR: 5.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.44–17.46).
Conclusions
Our study showed the current treatment status and clinical outcomes in patients with FD in South Korea. Prior to the diagnosis of FD, a considerable number of patients had already reached ESKD, suggesting a lack of awareness of FD among clinicians. Given the higher mortality rate observed in patients with FD and accompanying ESKD, the necessity to improve awareness of FD is highlighted to facilitate early diagnosis.
Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage disease caused by a mutation of the gene that encodes the α-galactosidase A enzyme. Treatment for FD is based on an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), such as agalsidase-β, agalsidase-α, and migalastat. However, studies analyzing effects and outcomes of ERT in FD patients in South Korea are limited.
Materials and methods
Treatment status and clinical outcomes of patients with FD in South Korea were investigated using data from the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS). The NHIS provides a comprehensive range of data across the entire Korean population, enabling an in-depth analysis of clinical outcomes associated with FD, including coronary composite heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, end-stage kidney disease (ESKD).
Results
A total of 228 patients with FD were discovered. The diagnosis was earlier in males (n = 120) than in females (n = 108). Almost 90% of patients were treated only with intravenous agalsidase-β or -α. A total of 15 patients switched from agalsidase to migalastat. All clinical outcomes manifested at an earlier age in males than in females. Particularly, ESKD was more prevalent in males, both before and after diagnosis of FD. Patients who had ESKD at the time of FD diagnosis exhibited a higher hazard ratio (HR) for mortality (HR: 5.01, 95% confidence interval: 1.44–17.46).
Conclusions
Our study showed the current treatment status and clinical outcomes in patients with FD in South Korea. Prior to the diagnosis of FD, a considerable number of patients had already reached ESKD, suggesting a lack of awareness of FD among clinicians. Given the higher mortality rate observed in patients with FD and accompanying ESKD, the necessity to improve awareness of FD is highlighted to facilitate early diagnosis.
2023
3.
Sunyong Yoo; Ja Young Choi; Shin-seung Yang; Seong-Eun Koh; Myeong-Hyeon Jeong; Min-Keun Song
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Dimensions | Tags: Medical informatics, National health insurance service
@article{yoo2023medical,
title = {Medical service utilization by children with physical or brain disabilities in South Korea},
author = {Sunyong Yoo and Ja Young Choi and Shin-seung Yang and Seong-Eun Koh and Myeong-Hyeon Jeong and Min-Keun Song},
url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12887-023-04309-2},
doi = {10.1186/s12887-023-04309-2},
year = {2023},
date = {2023-09-26},
urldate = {2023-09-26},
journal = {BMC pediatrics},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
pages = {487},
publisher = {Springer},
abstract = {Background
Children with physical or brain disabilities experience several functional impairments and declining health complications that must be considered for adequate medical support. This study investigated the current medical service utilization of children expressing physical or brain disabilities in South Korea by analyzing medical visits, expenses, and comorbidities.
Methods
We used a database linked to the National Rehabilitation Center of South Korea to extract information on medical services utilized by children with physical or brain disabilities, the number of children with a disability, medical visits for each child, medical expenses per visit, total medical treatment cost, copayments by age group, condition severity, and disability type.
Results
Brain disorder comorbidities significantly differed between those with mild and severe disabilities. Visits per child, total medical treatment cost, and copayments were higher in children with severe physical disabilities; however, medical expenses per visit were lower than those with mild disabilities. These parameters were higher in children with severe brain disabilities than in mild cases. Total medical expenses incurred by newborns to three-year-old children with physical disorders were highest due to increased visits per child. However, medical expenses per visit were highest for children aged 13–18.
Conclusion
Medical service utilization varied by age, condition severity, and disability type. Severe cases and older children with potentially fatal comorbidities required additional economic support. Therefore, a healthcare delivery system for children with disabilities should be established to set affordable medical costs and provide comprehensive medical services based on disability type and severity.},
note = {Correspondence to Min-Keun Song},
keywords = {Medical informatics, National health insurance service},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background
Children with physical or brain disabilities experience several functional impairments and declining health complications that must be considered for adequate medical support. This study investigated the current medical service utilization of children expressing physical or brain disabilities in South Korea by analyzing medical visits, expenses, and comorbidities.
Methods
We used a database linked to the National Rehabilitation Center of South Korea to extract information on medical services utilized by children with physical or brain disabilities, the number of children with a disability, medical visits for each child, medical expenses per visit, total medical treatment cost, copayments by age group, condition severity, and disability type.
Results
Brain disorder comorbidities significantly differed between those with mild and severe disabilities. Visits per child, total medical treatment cost, and copayments were higher in children with severe physical disabilities; however, medical expenses per visit were lower than those with mild disabilities. These parameters were higher in children with severe brain disabilities than in mild cases. Total medical expenses incurred by newborns to three-year-old children with physical disorders were highest due to increased visits per child. However, medical expenses per visit were highest for children aged 13–18.
Conclusion
Medical service utilization varied by age, condition severity, and disability type. Severe cases and older children with potentially fatal comorbidities required additional economic support. Therefore, a healthcare delivery system for children with disabilities should be established to set affordable medical costs and provide comprehensive medical services based on disability type and severity.
Children with physical or brain disabilities experience several functional impairments and declining health complications that must be considered for adequate medical support. This study investigated the current medical service utilization of children expressing physical or brain disabilities in South Korea by analyzing medical visits, expenses, and comorbidities.
Methods
We used a database linked to the National Rehabilitation Center of South Korea to extract information on medical services utilized by children with physical or brain disabilities, the number of children with a disability, medical visits for each child, medical expenses per visit, total medical treatment cost, copayments by age group, condition severity, and disability type.
Results
Brain disorder comorbidities significantly differed between those with mild and severe disabilities. Visits per child, total medical treatment cost, and copayments were higher in children with severe physical disabilities; however, medical expenses per visit were lower than those with mild disabilities. These parameters were higher in children with severe brain disabilities than in mild cases. Total medical expenses incurred by newborns to three-year-old children with physical disorders were highest due to increased visits per child. However, medical expenses per visit were highest for children aged 13–18.
Conclusion
Medical service utilization varied by age, condition severity, and disability type. Severe cases and older children with potentially fatal comorbidities required additional economic support. Therefore, a healthcare delivery system for children with disabilities should be established to set affordable medical costs and provide comprehensive medical services based on disability type and severity.
2022
2.
Seonwoo Jung; Min-Keun Song; Eunjoo Lee; Sejin Bae; Yeon-Yong Kim; Doheon Lee; Myoung Jin Lee; Sunyong Yoo
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Dimensions | Tags: Atrial fibrillation, Attention mechanism, Deep learning, Machine learning, Medical informatics, National health insurance service, Stroke
@article{jung2022predicting,
title = {Predicting ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation using machine learning},
author = {Seonwoo Jung and Min-Keun Song and Eunjoo Lee and Sejin Bae and Yeon-Yong Kim and Doheon Lee and Myoung Jin Lee and Sunyong Yoo},
url = {https://www.imrpress.com/journal/FBL/27/3/10.31083/j.fbl2703080/htm?utm_source=TrendMD&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Frontiers_in_Bioscience-Landmark_TrendMD_1},
doi = {10.31083/j.fbl2703080},
year = {2022},
date = {2022-03-04},
urldate = {2022-03-04},
journal = {Frontiers in Bioscience-Landmark},
volume = {27},
number = {3},
pages = {80},
publisher = {IMR Press},
abstract = {Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-known risk factor for stroke. Predicting the risk is important to prevent the first and secondary attacks of cerebrovascular diseases by determining early treatment. This study aimed to predict the ischemic stroke in AF patients based on the massive and complex Korean National Health Insurance (KNHIS) data through a machine learning approach.
Methods
We extracted 65-dimensional features, including demographics, health examination, and medical history information, of 754,949 patients with AF from KNHIS. Logistic regression was used to determine whether the extracted features had a statistically significant association with ischemic stroke occurrence. Then, we constructed the ischemic stroke prediction model using an attention-based deep neural network. The extracted features were used as input, and the occurrence of ischemic stroke after the diagnosis of AF was the output used to train the model.
Results We found 48 features significantly associated with ischemic stroke occurrence through regression analysis (p-value < 0.001). When the proposed deep learning model was applied to 150,989 AF patients, it was confirmed that the occurrence ischemic stroke was predicted to be higher AUROC (AUROC = 0.727 ± 0.003) compared to CHA2DS2-VASc score (AUROC = 0.651 ± 0.007) and other machine learning methods.
Conclusions
As part of preventive medicine, this study could help AF patients prepare for ischemic stroke prevention based on predicted stoke associated features and risk scores.},
note = {Correspondence to Sunyong Yoo},
keywords = {Atrial fibrillation, Attention mechanism, Deep learning, Machine learning, Medical informatics, National health insurance service, Stroke},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Background
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-known risk factor for stroke. Predicting the risk is important to prevent the first and secondary attacks of cerebrovascular diseases by determining early treatment. This study aimed to predict the ischemic stroke in AF patients based on the massive and complex Korean National Health Insurance (KNHIS) data through a machine learning approach.
Methods
We extracted 65-dimensional features, including demographics, health examination, and medical history information, of 754,949 patients with AF from KNHIS. Logistic regression was used to determine whether the extracted features had a statistically significant association with ischemic stroke occurrence. Then, we constructed the ischemic stroke prediction model using an attention-based deep neural network. The extracted features were used as input, and the occurrence of ischemic stroke after the diagnosis of AF was the output used to train the model.
Results We found 48 features significantly associated with ischemic stroke occurrence through regression analysis (p-value < 0.001). When the proposed deep learning model was applied to 150,989 AF patients, it was confirmed that the occurrence ischemic stroke was predicted to be higher AUROC (AUROC = 0.727 ± 0.003) compared to CHA2DS2-VASc score (AUROC = 0.651 ± 0.007) and other machine learning methods.
Conclusions
As part of preventive medicine, this study could help AF patients prepare for ischemic stroke prevention based on predicted stoke associated features and risk scores.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a well-known risk factor for stroke. Predicting the risk is important to prevent the first and secondary attacks of cerebrovascular diseases by determining early treatment. This study aimed to predict the ischemic stroke in AF patients based on the massive and complex Korean National Health Insurance (KNHIS) data through a machine learning approach.
Methods
We extracted 65-dimensional features, including demographics, health examination, and medical history information, of 754,949 patients with AF from KNHIS. Logistic regression was used to determine whether the extracted features had a statistically significant association with ischemic stroke occurrence. Then, we constructed the ischemic stroke prediction model using an attention-based deep neural network. The extracted features were used as input, and the occurrence of ischemic stroke after the diagnosis of AF was the output used to train the model.
Results We found 48 features significantly associated with ischemic stroke occurrence through regression analysis (p-value < 0.001). When the proposed deep learning model was applied to 150,989 AF patients, it was confirmed that the occurrence ischemic stroke was predicted to be higher AUROC (AUROC = 0.727 ± 0.003) compared to CHA2DS2-VASc score (AUROC = 0.651 ± 0.007) and other machine learning methods.
Conclusions
As part of preventive medicine, this study could help AF patients prepare for ischemic stroke prevention based on predicted stoke associated features and risk scores.
2021
1.
Sunyong Yoo; Dong-Wook Kim; Young-Eun Kim; Jong Heon Park; Yeon-Yong Kim; Kyu-dong Cho; Mi-Ji Gwon; Jae-In Shin; Eun-Joo Lee
Abstract | Links | BibTeX | Dimensions | Tags: Allergic rhinitis, Asthma, Atopic dermatitis, Database, National health insurance service
@article{yoo2021data,
title = {Data resource profile: the allergic disease database of the Korean National Health Insurance Service},
author = {Sunyong Yoo and Dong-Wook Kim and Young-Eun Kim and Jong Heon Park and Yeon-Yong Kim and Kyu-dong Cho and Mi-Ji Gwon and Jae-In Shin and Eun-Joo Lee},
url = {https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8060521/},
doi = {10.4178/epih.e2021010},
year = {2021},
date = {2021-01-21},
urldate = {2021-01-21},
journal = {Epidemiology and Health},
volume = {43},
pages = {e2021010},
publisher = {Korean Society of Epidemiology},
abstract = {Researchers have been interested in probing how the environmental factors associated with allergic diseases affect the use of medical services. Considering this demand, we have constructed a database, named the Allergic Disease Database, based on the National Health Insurance Database (NHID). The NHID contains information on demographic and medical service utilization for approximately 99% of the Korean population. This study targeted 3 major allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. For the target diseases, our database provides daily medical service information, including the number of daily visits from 2013 and 2017, categorized by patients’ characteristics such as address, sex, age, and duration of residence. We provide additional information, including yearly population, a number of patients, and averaged geocoding coordinates by eup, myeon, and dong district code (the smallest-scale administrative units in Korea). This information enables researchers to analyze how daily changes in the environmental factors of allergic diseases (e.g., particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and ozone) in certain regions would influence patients’ behavioral patterns of medical service utilization. Moreover, researchers can analyze long-term trends in allergic diseases and the health effects caused by environmental factors such as daily climate and pollution data. The advantages of this database are easy access to data, additional levels of geographic detail, time-efficient data-refining and processing, and a de-identification process that minimizes the exposure of identifiable personal information. All datasets included in the Allergic Disease Database can be downloaded by accessing the National Health Insurance Service data sharing webpage (https://nhiss.nhis.or.kr).},
keywords = {Allergic rhinitis, Asthma, Atopic dermatitis, Database, National health insurance service},
pubstate = {published},
tppubtype = {article}
}
Researchers have been interested in probing how the environmental factors associated with allergic diseases affect the use of medical services. Considering this demand, we have constructed a database, named the Allergic Disease Database, based on the National Health Insurance Database (NHID). The NHID contains information on demographic and medical service utilization for approximately 99% of the Korean population. This study targeted 3 major allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. For the target diseases, our database provides daily medical service information, including the number of daily visits from 2013 and 2017, categorized by patients’ characteristics such as address, sex, age, and duration of residence. We provide additional information, including yearly population, a number of patients, and averaged geocoding coordinates by eup, myeon, and dong district code (the smallest-scale administrative units in Korea). This information enables researchers to analyze how daily changes in the environmental factors of allergic diseases (e.g., particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, and ozone) in certain regions would influence patients’ behavioral patterns of medical service utilization. Moreover, researchers can analyze long-term trends in allergic diseases and the health effects caused by environmental factors such as daily climate and pollution data. The advantages of this database are easy access to data, additional levels of geographic detail, time-efficient data-refining and processing, and a de-identification process that minimizes the exposure of identifiable personal information. All datasets included in the Allergic Disease Database can be downloaded by accessing the National Health Insurance Service data sharing webpage (https://nhiss.nhis.or.kr).