Dados do Trabalho

Título

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF PATIENTS HOSPITALIZED FOR ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE IN BRAZIL OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS

Resumo

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, which is manifested by cognitive degradation. From a neuropathological point of view, the brain of individuals presents diffuse cortical atrophy, neuronal loss, an excessive number of senile plaques, and neurofibrillary tangles. Knowledge of the epidemiological panorama of patients hospitalized for this neurological pathology is of fundamental importance since it is the main and most common representative of the class of dementia, as well as being essential for the implementation of public policies and more effective social measures in the population-target. Since it is still a recent post-COVID period, we have some greater care to be taken regarding this population, whereas this period has further worsened their vulnerability and mortality. In addition to cognitive changes, motor abnormalities may also be observed in AD patients. Gait disturbances, decreased limb strength, and changes in postural control may be present in the initial phases of dementia or even in the pre-clinical stage of AD, thus referring to a greater need for support, especially from March 2020, due to the social distancing produced, and thus more unreported or notified cases already in urgency. Objective: Analysis of the epidemiological profile of patients who required hospitalization for Alzheimer's disease, between 2012 and 2021, in Brazil. Methods: Quantitative and retrospective study, performed using secondary data from DATASUS on the monthly/annual frequency of admissions related to AD from July/2012 to June/2021. Sex, race/color, age range, the character of care, mean hospitalization rate, and deaths were analyzed. Results: 12246 admissions were reported, with 2382 belonging to capitals. Of the total, we have 7969 female and 4277 male hospitalizations, the majority being white (5294 cases). The most affected age group is 80 years and over (7073), with a peak in 2019 (932). Out of these, 9957 were urgent and 2289 elective cases. The average spending was R$1832.23, with men generating higher expenses (R$1921.28 versus R$1784.43), as well as elective care (R$5157.06 versus R$1067.89). The total number of deaths was 551, led by São Paulo (185). Conclusion: It is concluded that white women, 80 years old and over, living in the country and under emergency care are the group with the greatest vulnerability to this disease.

Palavras Chave

Alzheimer; Sistema Único de Saúde; Post-COVID