Assessing Trends in Hospitalizations for Breast Cancer Among Women in Korea: A Utilization of the Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey (2006-2020)

Abstract Objective In this study, we analyzed the characteristics of breast cancer patients discharged in Korea over the past 15 years and explored the association between comorbidities and treatment outcomes to propose effective strategies for managing cancer patients. Methods This study utilized cross-sectional data from the Korea National Hospital Discharge In-depth Injury Survey from 2006 to 2020. Breast cancer patients were identified based on the primary diagnosis coded as C50 (Malignant neoplasm of the breast) according to ICD-10. Comorbidities were limited to those specified by the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and categorized into groups of 0, 1, 2, and 3 or more scores based on the relative risk associated with each condition. Results Between 2006 and 2020, an estimated 499,281 breast cancer patients were discharged, with an average annual percent change of 5.2% (95% CI 4.2–6.2, p < .05). The highest proportion of CCI scores of 3 or more was observed in the 60 and older age group at 12.9%, followed by 10.8% in the 40–59 age group and 8.5% in the under 40 age group. Across all age groups, there was a consistent increasing trend in the risk of mortality as the CCI score increased (p < .05). Conclusions The global trend of aging populations and increasing life expectancy indicate a continued rise in the number of breast cancer patients. Consequently, considering comorbidities when developing treatment plans for breast cancer is expected to result in positive treatment outcomes.