Respiratory and Chronic Diseases Decreased, Depression and Stress Increased

NHIS Analyzes Medical Utilization Patterns from March to July This Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] As the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) spread domestically, the number of patients with respiratory infections such as colds and pneumonia decreased, while the number of patients receiving treatment for depression or stress increased. However, the decrease in chronic diseases may be due to fewer visits to medical institutions and reduced screenings, so it is not easy to be optimistic that overall health has improved. Depression mainly increased among groups experiencing difficulties in economic activities.

According to the results announced on the 28th by the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS), which analyzed medical utilization behavior from March to July this year when the COVID-19 outbreak became full-scale, 8.03 million patients received treatment for acute upper respiratory infections (colds), influenza (flu), pneumonia, and other acute lower respiratory infections during this period. This is more than a 50% decrease compared to 16.7 million patients during the same period last year. Respiratory infections are the most common diseases for which patients visit medical institutions, with over 16 million patients annually.

Respiratory infectious diseases were fewer than ever before, with flu patients decreasing by 98% and pneumonia by 62%. Influenza usually peaks in winter, but in 2016 and last year, the epidemic spread even in spring, resulting in many patients.

The number of people visiting hospitals for gastrointestinal infections also decreased. From March to July this year, 1.67 million people sought medical care for gastrointestinal infections, a 31% decrease compared to the same period last year. Gastrointestinal infections usually affect around 2.4 million patients annually, but this year, there was a significant decrease especially among infants and children. Otitis media and conjunctivitis also decreased by 49% and 18%, respectively, during the same period.

The NHIS analyzed that these decreases were due to social distancing and proper mask-wearing during COVID-19. The habitual practice of handwashing also played a crucial role. Due to social distancing, the number of injury patients was 6.47 million, about 13% less than last year. Among school-aged children aged 7 to 18, injury patients decreased by 43% compared to last year.

A mask-wearing notice related to COVID-19 prevention is installed at Dongmyo Market in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

However, the number of people visiting medical institutions for mood disorders such as depression was 710,000, a 7% increase from last year, and patients with neurotic, stress-related, and somatoform disorders numbered 680,000, about a 4% increase. Although the trend over the past five years showed little change or a slight decrease, the number of patients increased compared to last year. These neurotic disorders showed a marked increase particularly among women aged 19 to 44.

Severe diseases such as cancer and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases slightly increased compared to last year. These diseases are not strongly related to COVID-19 or lifestyle quarantine measures, and the trend over the past five years showed a decrease. The NHIS stated, "Although the number of patients with severe diseases such as cancer increased compared to last year, it is somewhat below the natural increase level in the past," and added, "This is presumed to be due to a decrease in new patients."

The number of people visiting hospitals for chronic diseases such as hypertension and diabetes was 5.86 million, which also increased compared to last year but was considered to have decreased when looking at the trend over the past five years. Regarding the tendency of a decrease in patients with diseases unrelated to COVID-19, the NHIS analyzed, "The decrease in general health screening rates has influenced the reduction in new patients, resulting in outcomes below the natural increase level in the past."

According to the NHIS, the general health screening rate from February to April this year was less than half of last year's. Additionally, the number of dementia patients decreased by 10%, and the number of pregnant women visiting medical institutions for prenatal care decreased by about 8%. Kim Yong-ik, the NHIS chairman, pointed out, "Due to the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, depression and stress-related diseases are increasing," and emphasized, "It is necessary to expand counseling related to depression, especially for many citizens, particularly those in age groups facing difficulties in economic activities."

Meanwhile, as of the end of June this year, the National Health Insurance fund recorded cumulative revenue of 34.6674 trillion won and expenditures of 35.9488 trillion won, resulting in a deficit of 1.2814 trillion won for the current period. The reserve fund stands at 16.4898 trillion won. The NHIS explained, "Overall medical utilization has decreased, leading to reduced benefit expenditures, and there are simultaneous effects such as the implementation of premium reductions to support vulnerable groups due to COVID-19 and decreased premium income due to economic downturn."