Scoping Review of Kawasaki Disease Research Using National Databases in Korea

Kawasaki disease (KD), a major form of pediatric vasculitis, remains the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children in Korea. Large-scale administrative databases, such as the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), have become key resources for KD research owing to their nationwide coverage and accessibility. However, these databases lack detailed clinical variables, underscoring the complementary need for registry-based datasets, such as the Korea Society of Kawasaki Disease (KSKD) survey. In this scoping review of KD research in Korea using national health data sources, we sought to map study designs, data utilization, and research themes over time and to clarify the distinct role and continuing necessity of survey-based efforts, such as the KSKD registry. Thirty three peer-reviewed studies on KD published between 2014 and 2025 were reviewed, each of which was categorized according to its data source (e.g., NHIS, HIRA, KSKD survey, and Korean Kawasaki Disease Genetic Consortium [KKDGC]), research design (e.g., cohort, cross-sectional, case-control, and ecological), and primary research theme (e.g., epidemiology, diagnosis, genetics, or complications). Temporal and cross-sectional trends were examined using descriptive tables and visual summaries. The NHIS and HIRA were the predominant data sources for epidemiological and risk factor analyses. In contrast, the KSKD survey uniquely supported studies on diagnostic classification, intravenous immunoglobulin responsiveness, and coronary complications, which require detailed clinical information that is not available in the administrative data. Although research topics had diversified in recent years, the number of clinically detailed investigations remained limited. In sum, this scoping review outlines the evolving landscape of KD research using national health databases in Korea and highlights the indispensable role of the KSKD survey. Continued methodological and institutional support for survey-based clinical datasets is essential to enhance the depth, quality, and translational relevance of KD research in the country.