Incidence of bronchiectasis concerning tuberculosis epidemiology and other ecological factors: A Korean National Cohort Study

Abstract

The estimated incidences of bronchiectasis between 2005 and 2013 were 147–229 cases per 100 000 population in South Korea. The annual incidence of bronchiectasis showed a decreasing trend, which may follow the concurrent decrease in the TB prevalence and incidence, and favourable personal and socioeconomic conditions in South Korea. These results suggest that health promotion policy, including TB control, would help decrease the incidence and disease burden of bronchiectasis in countries with an intermediate-to-high TB burden. We also hope that future prospective bronchiectasis cohort studies will provide more concrete evidence on the epidemiology and underlying aetiologies of bronchiectasis in Asia.