Epidemiology and Health

Original Article

The prevention and response to infectious diseases in long-term care facilities in Korea: a nationwide survey: Sun Hee Na, Joong Sik Eom, Sun Bean Kim, Hyung Jin Yoon, So Yeon Yoo, Kyeong Sook Cha, Jong Rim Choi, Ji Youn Choi, Si Hyeon Han, Jin Ju Park, Tark Kim, Jacob Lee; Epidemiol Health. 2024;46:e2024084. Published online October 17, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2024084

1,239 View
101 Download

Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material: Abstract
OBJECTIVES
Long-term care facilities (LTCFs) are communal environments for patients with chronic diseases or older adults, making them particularly susceptible to significant harm during infectious disease outbreaks. Nonetheless, LTCFs have historically been subject to less stringent infection prevention and control (IPC) mandates. This study aimed to assess the current state of LTCFs and to develop an IPC system tailored for these facilities following the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
METHODS
We conducted an online survey of 11,366 LTCFs in Korea from December 30, 2022 to January 20, 2023, to evaluate the components of IPC in LTCFs. The infectious diseases targeted for IPC included COVID-19, influenza, and scabies. Additionally, we compared institution-based and home-based long-term care insurance facilities.
RESULTS
Overall, 3,537 (31.1%) LTCFs responded to the survey, comprising 1,819 (51.4%) institution-based and 1,718 (48.6%) home-based facilities. A majority (87.4%, 2,376/2,720) of these facilities experienced COVID-19 outbreaks. However, only 42.2% of home-based facilities, in contrast to 90.6% of institution-based facilities, were equipped to manage concurrent COVID-19 cases. Similarly, while 92.1% of institution-based facilities were capable of managing influenza, only 50.5% of home-based facilities could do the same. The incidence of scabies was significantly higher in institution-based facilities than in home-based ones (26.1 vs. 4.3%). Additionally, 88.7% of institution-based facilities managed scabies cases effectively, compared to only 42.1% of home-based facilities.
CONCLUSIONS
Approximately half of the LTCFs had a basic capacity to respond to infectious diseases. However, there were differences in response capabilities between institution-based facilities and home-based facilities.; Summary

Korean summary
장기요양기관을 대상으로 실태조사가 시행되었습니다. 50% 기관에서 감염병에 대한 기본 대응능력을 가지고 있었지만 시설급여기관과 재가급여기관 사이 대응능력에 차이가 있었습니다.

Key Message
A survey of long-term care facilities (LTCFs) was conducted. Fifty per cent of LTCFs had a basic capacity to respond to infectious diseases. However, there were differences in response capacity between institution-based and home-based facilities.

Review

Monkeypox: the resurgence of forgotten things: Sun Bean Kim, Jaehun Jung, Kyong Ran Peck; Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022082. Published online September 26, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022082

7,538 View
157 Download
3 Web of Science
3 Crossref

Abstract Summary PDF

Abstract

Monkeypox, a rare zoonotic disease, is primarily prevalent in Central and Western Africa. However, monkeypox is emerging as a worldwide concern due to the 2022 monkeypox outbreak, which is the first instance of widespread community transmission outside Africa. Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the genus <i>Orthopoxvirus</i> and presents as a vesicular-pustular disease that may be preceded by fever, malaise, and other constitutional symptoms. If present, lymphadenopathy may distinguish it from chickenpox or smallpox. However, contrary to previous manifestations, most monkeypox patients presented with atypical features during the 2022 outbreak. Monkeypox is usually a self-limiting disease with symptoms lasting between 2 weeks and 4 weeks and is mainly transmitted when a person comes into contact with an infected animal, person, or fomites contaminated with the virus. Very few treatment options are available for this disease. Tecovirimat has been licensed in some countries for the treatment of smallpox and monkeypox infections. Two other medications, cidofovir and brincidofovir, have been found to be effective against poxviruses in in vitro and animal studies, but data on human cases of monkeypox are limited. Although Imvamune (JYNNEOS), a vaccine against monkeypox, is authorized in the United States, there are currently no established routine vaccination programs. Current preventive strategies focus on the detection of probable cases and containment of the outbreak through the implementation of selected ring vaccination programs. Fundamental principles to prevent the spread of monkeypox, including maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding close contact with symptomatic patients, are of paramount importance.

Summary

Korean summary
원숭이두창은 orthopoxvirus에 속하는 원숭이두창 바이러스에 의해 발생하며, 중앙아프리카와 서아프리카에서 주로 발견되는 희귀한 인수공통감염병이었으나 2022년에 집단 발병했던 원숭이두창 환자들은 이전부터 널리 알려진 증세와 달리 비전형적인 임상 특징을 보이고 있고, 전 세계적으로 아프리카와의 역학적 연관성없이 아프리카 이외의 여러 지역에서 원숭이두창이 집단 발병하면서 보건학적 화두로 대두되었다. 원숭이두창에 대한 치료는 증상 호전을 위한 대증 요법이 주가 되며, 매우 제한적인 항바이러스제가 치료 약제로 이용된다. 2019년 미국에서 Imvamune (Jynneos)가 성인을 대상으로 원숭이두창 백신으로 사용이 승인되었다. 하지만 예방 접종뿐만 아니라 손씻기 등의 개인위생 유지, 의심 혹은 확진 환자와의 긴밀한 접촉을 피하는 것 등이 원숭이두창 확산을 막기 위한 가장 중요한 기본 원칙이다.

Key Message
Monkeypox is caused by the monkeypox virus, which belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus and presents as a vesicular-pustular disease that may be preceded by fever, malaise, and other constitutional symptoms. Contrary to previous manifestations, most monkeypox patients presented with atypical features during the 2022 outbreak. Very few treatment options are available for this disease and current preventive strategies focus on the detection of probable cases and containment of the outbreak through the implementation of selected ring vaccination programs. Fundamental principles to prevent the spread of monkeypox, including maintaining personal hygiene and avoiding close contact with symptomatic patients, are of paramount importance.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Breaking Barriers: Current Advances and Future Directions in Mpox Therapy
Bhumi M. Shah, Palmi Modi
Current Drug Targets.2024; 25(1): 62. CrossRef
How to cope with suspected mpox patients in the outpatient clinic
Nam Joong Kim, Sun Huh
Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2023; 66(5): 325. CrossRef
An International Outburst of New Form of Monkeypox Virus
Kiran Dobhal, Pallavi Ghildiyal, A.N.M. Ansori, Vikash Jakhmola
Journal of Pure and Applied Microbiology.2022; 16(suppl 1): 3013. CrossRef

COVID-19: Original Article

Model-based cost-effectiveness analysis of oral antivirals against SARS-CoV-2 in Korea: Youngji Jo, Sun Bean Kim, Munkhzul Radnaabaatar, Kyungmin Huh, Jin-Hong Yoo, Kyong Ran Peck, Hojun Park, Jaehun Jung; Epidemiol Health. 2022;44:e2022034. Published online March 12, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.4178/epih.e2022034

17,738 View
675 Download
17 Web of Science
17 Crossref

Abstract Summary PDF Supplementary Material

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Many countries have authorized the emergency use of oral antiviral agents for patients with mild-to-moderate cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We assessed the cost-effectiveness of these agents for reducing the number of severe COVID-19 cases and the burden on Korea’s medical system.

METHODS

Using an existing model, we estimated the number of people who would require hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) admission in Korea in 2022. The treatment scenarios included (1) all adult patients, (2) elderly patients only, and (3) adult patients with underlying diseases only, compared to standard care. Based on the current health system capacity, we calculated the incremental costs per severe case averted and hospital admission for each scenario.

RESULTS

We estimated that 236,510 COVID-19 patients would require hospital/ICU admission in 2022 with standard care only. Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir (87% efficacy) was predicted to reduce this number by 80%, 24%, and 17% when targeting all adults, adults with underlying diseases, and elderly patients (25, 8, and 4%, respectively, for molnupiravir, with 30% efficacy). Nirmatrelvir/ritonavir use is likely to be cost-effective, with predicted costs of US$8,878, US$8,964, and US$1,454, per severe patient averted for the target groups listed above, respectively, while molnupiravir is likely to be less cost-effective, with costs of US$28,492, US$29,575, and US$7,915, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

In Korea, oral treatment using nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for symptomatic COVID-19 patients targeting elderly patients would be highly cost-effective and would substantially reduce the demand for hospital admission to below the capacity of the health system if targeted to all adult patients instead of standard care.

Summary

Korean summary
본 연구는 감염병 수리모형을 바탕으로 두가지 항바이러스제의 (nirmatrelvir/ritonavir와 molnupiravir) 비용 효익을 평가하였다. 본 모델에 따르면, 2022년 한국에서, 현재 의료시스템의 수용한계를 넘는 코로나 19 대유행이 발생할 때, nirmatrelvir/ritonavir 를 코로나 감염 및 증상 있는 고령층 환자들을 대상으로 투여할 경우 높은 비용 효익이 기대되고 (중증환자 1명 감소효과에$1,454 비용소요), 성인 환자 대상으로 투여할 경우, (molnupiravir이나 nirmatrelvir/ritonavir를 투여하지 않는) 일반 치료에 비해서 전체 입원 수요를 80% 줄일 것으로 기대된다.

Key Message
Given an expected high epidemic resurgence in 2022 that could exceed South Korea’s current health system capacity, oral treatment using nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for symptomatic COVID-19 patients may be a highly cost-effective solution if targeted to elderly patients ($1,454 per severe case averted) and substantially reduce the demand for hospital admission (80%, 188,478 patients) below the capacity of the health system if targeted to all adult patients compared to standard care.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Cost-Utility Model of Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir in Brazil: Analysis of a Vaccinated Population
Ricardo R.A. Fernandes, Bruno M. Barros, Milene R. da Costa, Carlos A.S. Magliano, Bernardo R. Tura, Quenia Cristina D. Morais, Marisa Santos
Value in Health Regional Issues.2024; 40: 74. CrossRef
Cost-effectiveness of nirmatrelvir/ritonavir for high-risk adult outpatients with COVID-19 in Japan
Takahito Mizuno, Yu Kondo, Mikiyasu Sakai, Kenichi Saneyasu, Ryota Kojima, Yoshio Miyake
Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy.2024; 30(8): 716. CrossRef
Lessons Learned from Model-based Economic Evaluations of COVID-19 Drug Treatments Under Pandemic Circumstances: Results from a Systematic Review
Clazinus Veijer, Marinus H. van Hulst, Benjamin Friedrichson, Maarten J. Postma, Antoinette D.I. van Asselt
PharmacoEconomics.2024; 42(6): 633. CrossRef
Economic Evaluation of Nirmatrelvir/Ritonavir Among Adults Against Hospitalization During the Omicron Dominated Period in Malaysia: A Real-World Evidence Perspective
Ee Vien Low, Hoon Shien Teh, Nicholas Yee Liang Hing, Suresh Kumar Chidambaram, Mohan Dass Pathmanathan, Wee Ric Kim, Wei Jia Lee, Zhi Wei Teh, Maheshwara Rao Appannan, Shahanizan Mohd Zin, Faizah Muhamad Zin, Samha Bashirah Mohamed Amin, Mastura Ismail,
Drugs - Real World Outcomes.2024; 11(2): 299. CrossRef
Cost-utility analysis of molnupiravir for high-risk, community-based adults with COVID-19: an economic evaluation of the PANORAMIC trial
May Ee Png, Victoria Harris, Jenna Grabey, Nigel D Hart, Bhautesh D Jani, Daniel Butler, Andrew Carson-Stevens, Maria Coates, Lucy Cureton, Melissa Dobson, Jienchi Dorward, Philip Evans, Nick Francis, Oghenekome A Gbinigie, Gail Hayward, Jane Holmes, Kere
British Journal of General Practice.2024; 74(745): e570. CrossRef
Cost-effectiveness analysis of COVID-19 vaccination: A review of some vaccination models
Rehana Naz, Andrew Omame, Mariano Torrisi
Partial Differential Equations in Applied Mathematics.2024; 11: 100842. CrossRef
Cost-effectiveness analysis of COVID-19 booster doses and oral antivirals: Case studies in the Indo-Pacific
Gizem Mayis Bilgin, Syarifah Liza Munira, Kamalini Lokuge, Kathryn Glass, Dominic Luke Thorrington
PLOS ONE.2024; 19(9): e0294091. CrossRef
Impact of the Use of Oral Antiviral Agents on the Risk of Hospitalization in Community Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients (COVID-19)
Terry Cheuk-Fung Yip, Grace Chung-Yan Lui, Mandy Sze-Man Lai, Vincent Wai-Sun Wong, Yee-Kit Tse, Bosco Hon-Ming Ma, Elsie Hui, Maria K W Leung, Henry Lik-Yuen Chan, David Shu-Cheong Hui, Grace Lai-Hung Wong
Clinical Infectious Diseases.2023; 76(3): e26. CrossRef
Nirmatrelvir plus ritonavir in COVID-19: a profile of its use
Hannah A. Blair
Drugs & Therapy Perspectives.2023; 39(2): 41. CrossRef
Cost-effectiveness analysis of ritonavir boosted nirmatrelvir for adult outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19 in a European health system
Philip Wikman-Jorgensen, José María Ibarra, Carlos Devesa, Jorge Peris, Jara Llenas-García
European Journal of Internal Medicine.2023; 118: 133. CrossRef
Assessing the cost-effectiveness of annual COVID-19 booster vaccination in South Korea using a transmission dynamic model
Wongyeong Choi, Eunha Shim
Frontiers in Public Health.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Multi-Faceted Analysis of COVID-19 Epidemic in Korea Considering Omicron Variant: Mathematical Modeling-Based Study
Youngsuk Ko, Victoria May Mendoza, Renier Mendoza, Yubin Seo, Jacob Lee, Jonggul Lee, Donghyok Kwon, Eunok Jung
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Adjusting non-pharmaceutical interventions based on hospital bed capacity using a multi-operator differential evolution
Victoria May P. Mendoza, Renier Mendoza, Jongmin Lee, Eunok Jung
AIMS Mathematics.2022; 7(11): 19922. CrossRef
The Possible Impact of Nationwide Vaccination on Outcomes of the COVID-19 Epidemic in North Korea: A Modelling Study
Sung-mok Jung, Jaehun Jung
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Medications for early treatment of COVID ‐19 in Australia
Adam Polkinghorne, James M Branley
Medical Journal of Australia.2022;[Epub] CrossRef
Comparative effectiveness of sotrovimab and molnupiravir for prevention of severe covid-19 outcomes in patients in the community: observational cohort study with the OpenSAFELY platform
Bang Zheng, Amelia C A Green, John Tazare, Helen J Curtis, Louis Fisher, Linda Nab, Anna Schultze, Viyaasan Mahalingasivam, Edward P K Parker, William J Hulme, Sebastian C J Bacon, Nicholas J DeVito, Christopher Bates, David Evans, Peter Inglesby, Henry D
BMJ.2022; : e071932. CrossRef
Treatment Options for Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Korea
Jaehyun Jeon, BumSik Chin
Journal of Korean Medical Science.2022;[Epub] CrossRef

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search