The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and the use of antiretroviral therapy in Korea: a narrative review

The availability of combined antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced the number of new HIV infections and the associated mortality, and HIV infection has become a chronic disease with long-term survival. In Korea, more than 1,000 new...

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Main Author: Nam Su Ku
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ewha Womans University College of Medicine 2024-07-01
Series:The Ewha Medical Journal
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Online Access:http://www.e-emj.org/archive/view_article?pid=emj-47-3-36
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author Nam Su Ku
author_facet Nam Su Ku
author_sort Nam Su Ku
collection DOAJ
description The availability of combined antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced the number of new HIV infections and the associated mortality, and HIV infection has become a chronic disease with long-term survival. In Korea, more than 1,000 new HIV infections have been registered annually since 2013. After peaking at 1,223 in 2019, the number of new infections decreased between 2020 and 2023. In 2023, the majority of newly HIV-infected people were men, and the proportions of young people under 40 years, homosexual contacts and foreigners increased. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths from opportunistic infections associated with immunosuppression and AIDS-defining cancers are gradually decreasing, whereas non-AIDS defining comorbidities such as non-AIDS defining cancers, cardiovascular disease and metabolic complications are emerging as major causes of death. Since the introduction of zidovudine, approximately 30 antiretroviral drugs have been approved for the treatment of HIV infection. Early and continuous antiretroviral treatment for all people living with HIV is an effective strategy for maintaining viral suppression and preventing transmission of HIV infection. In conclusion, achieving the 95–95–95 target among those living with HIV in Korea requires multifaceted efforts to improve early diagnosis, early and proper treatment of HIV infection including the management of chronic diseases, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy.
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spelling doaj-art-16e11839ea7d4c49aedff23b4a72d56b2024-12-16T08:43:16ZengEwha Womans University College of MedicineThe Ewha Medical Journal2234-25912024-07-0147310.12771/emj.2024.e36emj-47-3-36The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and the use of antiretroviral therapy in Korea: a narrative reviewNam Su KuThe availability of combined antiretroviral therapy has significantly reduced the number of new HIV infections and the associated mortality, and HIV infection has become a chronic disease with long-term survival. In Korea, more than 1,000 new HIV infections have been registered annually since 2013. After peaking at 1,223 in 2019, the number of new infections decreased between 2020 and 2023. In 2023, the majority of newly HIV-infected people were men, and the proportions of young people under 40 years, homosexual contacts and foreigners increased. Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related deaths from opportunistic infections associated with immunosuppression and AIDS-defining cancers are gradually decreasing, whereas non-AIDS defining comorbidities such as non-AIDS defining cancers, cardiovascular disease and metabolic complications are emerging as major causes of death. Since the introduction of zidovudine, approximately 30 antiretroviral drugs have been approved for the treatment of HIV infection. Early and continuous antiretroviral treatment for all people living with HIV is an effective strategy for maintaining viral suppression and preventing transmission of HIV infection. In conclusion, achieving the 95–95–95 target among those living with HIV in Korea requires multifaceted efforts to improve early diagnosis, early and proper treatment of HIV infection including the management of chronic diseases, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy.http://www.e-emj.org/archive/view_article?pid=emj-47-3-36antiretroviral therapyhivnon-aids-defining comorbidities
spellingShingle Nam Su Ku
The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and the use of antiretroviral therapy in Korea: a narrative review
The Ewha Medical Journal
antiretroviral therapy
hiv
non-aids-defining comorbidities
title The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and the use of antiretroviral therapy in Korea: a narrative review
title_full The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and the use of antiretroviral therapy in Korea: a narrative review
title_fullStr The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and the use of antiretroviral therapy in Korea: a narrative review
title_full_unstemmed The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and the use of antiretroviral therapy in Korea: a narrative review
title_short The epidemiology of HIV/AIDS and the use of antiretroviral therapy in Korea: a narrative review
title_sort epidemiology of hiv aids and the use of antiretroviral therapy in korea a narrative review
topic antiretroviral therapy
hiv
non-aids-defining comorbidities
url http://www.e-emj.org/archive/view_article?pid=emj-47-3-36
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