Prevalence and incidence of gout in Korea: data from the national health claims database 2007–2015

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and incidence of gout in Korea and predict the future prevalence and incidence of gout. Data were collected from the national health claims database. Patients who had at least one claim for gout between 2007 and 2015 were included in the study. The prevalence of gout from 2007 to 2015 and the incidence of gout from 2009 to 2015 were determined. We estimated sex- and age-specific prevalence and incidence of gout during the period. The prevalence and incidence of gout were predicted using time series analysis. The prevalence of gout (95% CI) increased from 3.49 (3.48–3.51) per 1000 persons in 2007 to 7.58 (7.55–7.60) per 1000 persons in 2015. The incidence of gout (95% CI) was 1.52 (1.51–1.53) in 2009 and rose to 1.94 (1.93–1.95) per 1000 persons in 2015. The prevalence and incidence of gout were higher in men than in women. The older population had a higher prevalence and incidence than the younger population. The increase in prevalence was higher in the older population than the younger population, whereas the increase in incidence was higher in the younger population than the older population. The predicted prevalence and incidence of gout (95% CI) in 2025 were 16.59 (15.85–17.34) per 1000 persons and 3.81 (3.14–4.47) per 1000 persons. The prevalence and incidence of gout increased in Korea between 2007 and 2015. Men and the older population had a higher prevalence and incidence of gout compared to women and the younger population. However, the incidence of gout in the younger population has increased rapidly in recent years.