Current trends of major arterial diseases in Korea: based on data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service

PURPOSE: This study aims to figure out the changes of the prevalence and management of carotid arterial occlusive diseases (CAOD), abdominal aortic diseases (AAA), and arterial diseases of the lower extremities (LAOD) in Korea over the past 5 years. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service during the period from 2008 to 2012. RESULTS: The number of patients with CAOD increased by about 30% every year. From the year 2008, the number of open surgeries (OS) and endovascular treatments (ET) increased by more than 20% during each of the first 2 years and by 10% every year for 3 years thereafter for CAOD. ET was preferred to OS and occupied 77%–79% of the total number of procedures. The number of patients with AAA increased by 11%–17% every year. ET for AAA occupied 52% of the total number of procedures in 2008 and gradually increased to 70% in 2012. The number of patients who were diagnosed with LAOD fluctuated over the five years. The total number of procedures to treat LAOD increased each year by 20%–25%. ET for LAOD constantly increased by 18%–24% each year and occupied 80%–95% of the total number of procedures. CONCLUSION: It is evident that the incidence of vascular diseases will be increasing as our society ages, not to mention its care costs. The need for long-range plans and guidelines are urgent.