Key result
Anti-HAV IgG seropositivity was low in young adults (12.7% in 20-24 years), while the incidence and admission rate of acute hepatitis A were highest in adults in their 20s and 30s.
Cross-Sectional (n=11,177)
No
Young adults in South Korea have low HAV seropositivity and high incidence of acute hepatitis A, while older adults experience more severe disease and higher medical costs when infected, highlighting the need for targeted vaccination strategies.
Low seropositivity in young adults aligns with peak hepatitis A incidence; leaves open targeted vaccination strategies in similar settings.
BACKGROUND: Adult seroprevalence of HAV is decreasing in developed countries including South Korea, due to general sanitation improvement. Although hepatitis A vaccination was introduced in South Korea more than 20 years ago, recent infection rates have not decreased. In this study, we investigate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV IgG, and estimate the national disease burden of acute hepatitis A in adult population. METHODS: Seroprevalence data were collected from health promotion center of Korea University Guro Hospital, in Seoul, Korea from 2010 to 2014. Data from adults (≥20-years) being tested for anti-HAV IgG were included. In addition, epidemiological and clinical data of patients diagnosed with acute hepatitis A from 2009 to 2013, were collected from Korean Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) and the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) database. Data were stratified and compared by age groups. RESULTS: A total of 11,177 subjects were tested for anti-HAV IgG from 2010 to 2014. Age-related seroprevalence showed relatively low seropositivity in young adults. Incidence of acute hepatitis A was highest in 2009 and lowest in 2013. When categorized by age group, adults in their 20s and 30s had more HAV infections and related-admissions than older adults. However, ICU admission rate and average insurance-covered cost was high in older adults. CONCLUSION: The anti-HAV IgG seropositivity in Korean younger adult population was low while the incidence of acute hepatitis A was high, especially in the 20-39 aged. However, a substantial number of older adults were infected, and required more intensive procedures and incurred higher insurance-covered medical costs.
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Yoon et al. (2017) conducted a cross-sectional in Acute hepatitis A (n=11,177). Age was evaluated on Anti-HAV IgG seropositivity and incidence of acute hepatitis A. Anti-HAV IgG seropositivity was low in young adults (12.7% in 20-24 years), while the incidence and admission rate of acute hepatitis A were highest in adults in their 20s and 30s.
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