Clinical Features, Disability and Socioeconomic Status of Patients With
Muscular Dystrophy in Korea |
오승헌, 강대룡a 최영철b 최병옥c 김대성d 정두신e 박경석f 문기태g 김승민b 김병준h
임정근i 주인수j 조정희k 김진호l 손은희m 노학재e 김종국n 이영배o 김남희p 서범천h
대한신경근육질환학회q |
차의과학대학교 신경과학교실, 연세대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실b, 이화여자대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실c, 부산대학교
의학전문대학원d, 순천향대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실e, 서울대학교 의과대학 신경과학교실f, 성균관대학교 의과대학
신경과학교실h, 계명대학교 의 |
국내 근육디스트로피 환자의 임상양상, 장애 및
사회경제학적 실태 |
Seung-Hun Oh |
Departments of Neurology, CHA University School of Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicineb, Ehwa Womans
University College of Medicinec, Pusan National University School of Medicined, Soonchunhyang University College of
Medicinee, Seoul National University College of Medicinef, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicineh, Keimyung
University College of Medicinei, Ajou University School of Medicinej, National Health Insurance Corporation Ilsan
Hospitalk, Chosun University College of Medicinel, Chungnam National University College of Medicinem, Kosin
University College of Medicinen, Gachon Medical Schoolo, Dongguk University College of Medicinep, Department of
Clinical Trials Center, Yonsei University College of Medicinea, Health Insurance Review and Agencyg, Seoul, Korea, The
KOREAN Society of Neuromuscular Disordersq |
|
|
Abstract |
Background: Since 2001, the Ministry of Health and Welfare in Korea has designated muscular dystrophy (MD) to be a
rare and intractable disease, and has ensured that patients with this condition obtain support from the National Health
Insurance Corporation for their medical expenditure. However, the health-related and socioeconomic status of Korean
patients with MD has yet to be established.
Methods: We selected 441 patients with MD who received medical services at 17 neuromuscular centers during 2005.
The medical records of selected patients were analyzed, and the subtype of MD was classified by its clinical course and
diagnostic tests. A total of 95 patients or their family members participated in this health-related and socioeconomic
status survey. Results: Medical record analysis showed similar clinical and diagnostic characteristic data to those published previously
in other countries: male predominance, being young at onset, and muscular weakness of the extremities as a
predominant symptom in most patients. The diagnostic tests for MD were based on laboratory and electrophysiological
studies. The most frequent form of MD among our cohort was Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy (42%). Our survey
revealed the effect of the patients’ profound disability on their activities of daily living. One-half of the patients were
dissatisfied with the medical expenditure support service that was made available to them, and most patients suffered
from a financial burden. The most important medical services to be developed in the future are expansion of the public
health service or development of a rehabilitation hospital.
Conclusions: This is the first multicenter-based epidemiologic study on the health-related and socioeconomic status of
patients with MD in Korea. The findings indicate that medical coverage and public health service are currently
inadequate and hence should be expanded in the future. Key Words: Muscular dystrophy, Survey, Health, Epidemiology, Socioeconomic |
|