Reality of Kawasaki disease epidemiology

Abstract

Epidemiologic studies of Kawasaki disease (KD) have shown a new pattern or change of its occurrence suggestive of its pathophysiology or risk factors from the first patient with KD reported in 1961. The incidence of KD in Northeast Asian countries including Japan, South Korea, China, and Taiwan is 10–30 times higher than that in the United States and Europe. Knowing the true epidemiology of KD in each country and the availability of publications of KD epidemiology also could benefit general health care providers and general population. This would enable the early detection and treatment of KD, ultimately reducing the incidence of coronary artery complications and mortality. Therefore, efforts to investigate the true epidemiology of KD should be continued in every country using a questionnaire survey, National Health Insurance system data, or combined methods depending on each country’s medical environment to ensure high-quality care of patients with KD.

The Occurrence of Coronary Artery Lesions in Kawasaki Disease Based on C-reactive Protein Levels: A Retrospective Cohort Study

“…1 This disease is reported in high frequency, particularly in Northeast Asia, including Korea, and occurs primarily in children under 5 years of age. 2 Systemic in ammation in KD is re ected by an elevation of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) levels, an acute phase reactant. In general, high serum CRP levels are expected in KD.…”

Refractory Kawasaki Disease Presenting With Erythema at Bacille Calmette-Guérin Inoculation Site: A Paediatric Case Report

“…It is the most common acquired heart disease during childhood in most developed countries. Abnormalities of coronary arteries are well-known complications of KD and comprise up to 15%-25% of patients if definitive treatment is not administered on time [2,3,6]. However, the etiology of KD remains unclear, and studies are ongoing to explore precise pathophysiological and genetic profiles and new treatment modalities for KD [5,7].…”

Can the accurate epidemiological study help to search the etiology of Kawasaki disease?

“…The latest incidence rates of Kawasaki disease were 308 in Japan (2014), 194.7 in South Korea (2014), 111.6 in Beijing (2014), 71.9 in Shanghai (2014), and 82.8 per 100,000 children aged below 5years in Taiwan (2010). 6) In North America, the incidence rates of Kawasaki disease were 19.6 in Canada (2014) and 19.1 per 100,000 children aged below 5 years in the US (2015). 6) Interestingly, outside Northeast Asian countries, the incidence of Kawasaki disease has not changed significantly since 1973, 5) but this might be because several cases go unreported or undiagnosed.…”

“…6) In North America, the incidence rates of Kawasaki disease were 19.6 in Canada (2014) and 19.1 per 100,000 children aged below 5 years in the US (2015). 6) Interestingly, outside Northeast Asian countries, the incidence of Kawasaki disease has not changed significantly since 1973, 5) but this might be because several cases go unreported or undiagnosed. In North America and Europe, most patients with Kawasaki disease are Asian.…”

“…9) The meticulous surveillance of patients with Kawasaki disease by health care providers can enable the quick diagnosis and treatment of Kawasaki disease, thereby preventing coronary artery complications, such as giant aneurysms, and death. 6) The important factors for collecting exact epidemiological data are definite diagnosis, accurate number of patients with Kawasaki disease, and active participation of clinicians in epide miological surveys. Among the tools of nationwide surveys on Kawasaki disease, questionnaire data are more accurate than NHIS data.…”