Background and aims Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disease with diverse clinical manifestations. Despite of progression of understanding and treatment of SLE, there is scarcity of data about SLE in Asia. We evaluated the prevalence of SLE for 5 years from 2010 to 2014 in South Korea using data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS). The purpose of this study is to investigate the prevalence of SLE in South Korea.

Methods We used data provided by HIRAS, which covers all hospital visits nationwide. Identification of patients with SLE was based by main diagnostic code. The prevalence of SLE was calculated for 5 years from 2010 to 2014.

Results The prevalence of SLE has increased for 5 years. The prevalence rate of SLE was 33.9/100,000 (male 8.4/100,000, and female 59.6/100,000) in 2010, but it has increased to 44.6/100,000 (male 13.1/100,000, and female 76.3/100,000) in 2014.

Conclusions The prevalence of SLE has increased from 2010 to 2014 in South Korea.