Nationwide Trends in Healthcare Utilization and Expenditures Among Patients with Cervical Dystonia in Korea: A 7-Year Analysis Using Health Insurance Data.

Background/

Objectives

Cervical dystonia (CD) is the most common focal dystonia, but nationwide evidence on healthcare use is limited. This study assessed trends in utilization and expenditures in Korea.

Methods

Using National Health Insurance Service claims (2017-2023), we identified CD patients (ICD-10 G24.3) and analyzed annual patients, visits, and expenditures by demographics, medical system, service type, and specialty.

Results

A total of 6614 patients (33,896 claims) were included. Patient numbers declined until 2021 then slightly rebounded, and total expenditures fluctuated. Women were more prevalent, but men incurred higher costs. Western Medicine (WM) expenditures tended to increase while Korean Medicine (KM) tended to decline. Core botulinum toxin costs remained broadly stable; physiotherapy and diagnostic testing increased, particularly WM outpatient testing. Outpatient injection-related and anesthesia expenditures showed decreasing tendencies, while hospitalization and radiology exhibited modest or minimal changes. Neurology managed the most patients, while neurosurgery generated the highest costs.

Conclusions

CD care in Korea showed declining patient numbers alongside overall stable total expenditures, with increasing use of rehabilitation and diagnostic services and continued stable use of botulinum toxin as a core therapy.