EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ASPECTS AND HOSPITAL COSTS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease is a degenerative and progressive disease that acts on the central nervous system. It affects about 10% of people over 60 years of age and 40% of people over 80 years of age and its complications can lead to death. When causing moderate to severe cognitive decline, hospitalization of the patient may be necessary. Objective: To analyze the profile of hospitalizations for Alzheimer's disease in Brazil from January 2003 to December 2022. Methodology: This is an ecological, retrospective and quantitative study. Sociodemographic data (gender, color or race, and age group) and clinical data (number of hospitalizations, average length of stay, total value of hospitalizations, deaths, and mortality rate) were analyzed. Results: A total of 19716 hospitalizations were observed in Brazil, most of whom were female (64%), over 80 years of age (56%) and white. The Southeast had the highest average length of stay (121.6 days); the total number of deaths during the analyzed period was 3831, with the Northeast having the highest mortality rate (26.2%). The total expenses were R$ 38596519.60. Conclusion: There is evidence of a progressive increase in hospitalizations for Alzheimer's disease in recent decades, which also impacts the increase in expenses. Elderly people over 80 years old were the most hospitalized, as well as women and white people. In the Southeast region, most deaths from Alzheimer's disease occurred. Strategies based on awareness of the disease are necessary to confront it.