Trends of the prevalence and incidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in Korea: A nationwide population-based cohort study

PLoS One. 2020 Jan 13;15(1):e0227012. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227012. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Temporal trends of the prevalence and incidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) have not been well established in Asian populations. Using the Korean National Health Insurance Services database, we identified patients with a confirmed diagnosis of HCM between 2010 and 2016. The annual prevalence and incidence of HCM, and their clinical characteristics were investigated. The prevalence of HCM has increased from 0.016% (n = 6313) in 2010 to 0.031% (n = 13,035) in 2016. During a 7-year period, 13,229 patients were newly diagnosed with HCM. The incidence rate increased from 4.15 (per 100,000 person-years) in 2010 to 5.6 in 2016. The prevalence and incidence of HCM increased with age and peaked during the 70s, with male predominance in all age groups. Chest pain is the most frequent clinical presentation followed by shortness of breath and syncope. Hypertension and dyslipidemia were the two most common comorbidities. Heart failure and atrial fibrillation was diagnosed in about 1/3 and 1/4 of patients with HCM, respectively. The prevalence and incidence of HCM gradually increased from 2010 to 2016, possibly due to heightened recognition of the disease. Given the progressively high incidence of HCM with age and high prevalence of coexisting modifiable risk factors, continued efforts are required to increase awareness regarding HCM-related symptoms and potential complications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Atrial Fibrillation / etiology
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / complications
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / epidemiology*
  • Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / pathology
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Cohort Studies
  • Comorbidity / trends
  • Databases, Factual
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / etiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Republic of Korea / epidemiology
  • Risk Factors

Grants and funding

Prof. Hyung-Kwan Kim (HK-K) reports research grants from Actelion, GSK, Handok Pharm, Dae-Woong Pharm, Yuhan, Hanmi, ChongKunDang Pharm and Norvatis. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.