Prevalence and economic burden of male anogenital wart in Korea: A population-based big data analysis from 2007 to 2018

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence of anogenital warts (AGW) caused by human papillomavirus in men and the characteristics and changes of the disease in Korea. Materials and Methods: From 2007 to 2018, male AGW corresponding to the International Classification of Disease-10 A63.0 were targeted. Through a big data analysis of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, data of patients diagnosed with AGW as either the main or secondary diagnosis were extracted. The overall prevalence and prevalence by age were calculated through the population by year and the population by 5-year-old unit of the National Statistical Office. Additionally, the amount accrued through the disease code was confirmed and compared as AGW-related medical expenses. Results: The annual number of patients increased by 3.5 times from 32,709 in 2007 to 114,734 in 2018. Additionally, the annual prevalence increased by 3.34 times from 132.83 per 100,000 to 443.57. The age-specific prevalence was the highest among the 25-to 29-year age group. The highest prevalence was observed in the 25-to 29-year age group in 2018 (1,492.15 per 100,000), and the lowest was noted in the 10-to 14-year age group in 2014 (7.28 per 100,000). AGW-related medical expenses increased by approxi-mately 9.76 times from US$ 2,789,215.1 in 2007 to US$ 27,227,254.9 in 2018. Conclusions: In Korea, cases of male AGW are increasing yearly, with the 25-to 29-year age group having the highest prevalence. Medical costs related to AGW are also increasing tenfold. For male AGW, further studies and national interventions are needed.