Purpose
Few studies have assessed the prevalence of cervical and thoracic and lumbar (thoracolumbar) intervertebral disc disorders, respectively, using data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service (KNHIS). The aim is to show the changing prevalence of cervical and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disorder over the last decade.
Methods
Data spanning 2012 to 2021 were collected from the KNHIS, encompassing primary diagnoses related to cervical and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disorder (ICD 10 code: M50.x and M51.x except M51.4). The agestandardized prevalence was computed using the estimated Korean population in 2020 as a reference. Additionally, age-standardized number of general spinal operations per year was illustrated using the Statistical Yearbook of Major Surgeries in 2021.
Results
In 2012, the age-standardized prevalence of cervical intervertebral disc disorder was 11,383 persons per 100,000 decreasing to 8,860 persons per 100,000 persons in 2021. This decline was observed in both male (from 10,101 to 8,012) and female (from 12,690 to 9,709). For thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disorders, the agestandardized prevalence decreased from 27,506 to 18,903 persons per 100,000 persons from 2012 to 2021. Notably, the age-standardized prevalence showed a greater increase in individuals aged 60 or older compared to those aged 50, for both sexes. However, there was an increase in the number of general spinal operation from 2012 to 2021.
Conclusions
While the overall age-standardized prevalence of cervical and thoracolumbar intervertebral disc disorders decreased between 2012 and 2021 across all age groups, the number of general spinal operations increased during the same period.

Purpose
To evaluate the impacts of regional and socioeconomic factors on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) diagnosis and treatment using national datasets of the Korean National Health Insurance System. The prevalence of, and therapeutic trends in, AIS are affected by a variety of environmental factors.
Materials and Methods
We analyzed random samples from datasets (10% of all entries) between 2012 and 2018, including in terms of patient demographics, residential status (a “special city”, and urban, and rural regions) and socioeconomic status (SES) based on health insurance premiums (which distinguish National Health Insurance and Medical Aid [MA] beneficiaries).
Results
The AIS prevalence was approximately 1.6-fold higher in females than in males, whereas the rate of male surgery was approximately 1.5-fold higher than that in females. AIS prevalence was higher among National Health Insurance beneficiaries (in all years), whereas the surgery rate was higher among MA beneficiaries (in most years). In all years, AIS prevalence was significantly higher among special city residents than in urban and rural residents. However, the surgical treatment rates were higher in the latter regions.
Conclusions
Our nationwide evaluation revealed AIS prevalence rates and therapeutic trends. AIS epidemiology varies by region and economic status.