Trends in the Incidence and Treatment of Benign Vocal Fold Lesions in Korea, 2006-2015: A Nationwide Population-based Study.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and demographics of benign vocal fold lesions (BVFL) and trends in its treatment in Korea based on data collected from the National Health Insurance Service database.


MATERIAL AND METHODS
Data for patients diagnosed with BVFL (ICM-10 codes J381, J382, J384) from 2006 to 2015 were selected for analysis. Patient characteristics, including sex, age, income, area of residence, and comorbidity, were analyzed. Treatment was divided into surgical management and conservative management using operation codes.


RESULTS
The prevalence and incidence of BVFL increased from 7.07% and 5.29%, respectively, in 2006 to 12.47% and 7.98% in 2015. Compared with the non-BVFL population, patients with BVFL were more likely to be female, reside in an urban area, and have gastroesophageal reflux disease. There was no significant change in the incidence of surgical treatment during the study period (around 6000 per year); however, the surgical treatment rate decreased from 19.29% to 8.38%. The probability of undergoing surgical treatment for BVFL was higher in men, those aged 50-59 years, and those in the lowest quartile for income, except for the medical aid group.


CONCLUSION
In Korea, there was an increase in the number of patients diagnosed with BVFL and a decrease in the operation rate for this condition between 2006 and 2015. Diagnosis of BVFL varied significantly based on income and sex; however, the only variable affecting the operation rate was patient age.
['Jung|Soo Yeon|SY|', 'Han|Kyung-do|KD|', 'Chun|Mi Sun|MS|', 'Chung|Sung Min|SM|', 'Kim|Han Su|HS|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D017677:Age Distribution D000367:Age Factors D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D002648:Child D002675:Child, Preschool D016208:Databases, Factual D005260:Female D006801:Humans D015994:Incidence D007182:Income D007223:Infant D007231:Infant, Newborn D007818:Laryngeal Diseases D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D015995:Prevalence D056910:Republic of Korea D012307:Risk Factors D017678:Sex Distribution D012737:Sex Factors D013997:Time Factors D016896:Treatment Outcome D014827:Vocal Cords D055815:Young Adult
Benign vocal fold lesions—Korea—Incidence—Population-based—Nationwide