EPIDEMIOLOGICAL PROFILE OF HOSPITAL ADMISSIONS FOR PNEUMONIA IN BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction: Pneumonia is defined as one of the most prevalent pathologies in the world, with high mortality rates, being an acute inflammatory disease generated by an infection that settles in the lung and affects the air spaces, and can reach the alveoli region. They are caused by the penetration of various microorganisms and contaminating agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi and chemical reactions into the alveolar space. According to the Ministry of Health, in Brazil, the Unified Health System (SUS) registers more than 600 thousand hospitalizations for pneumonia annually.  Care must be taken with people who are in the extreme age groups – the elderly and children – and those in whom the immune system is more compromised. Objectives: To analyze the epidemiological profile of hospital admissions for pneumonia in Brazil from 2020 to 2023, sociodemographically characterizing the profile of patients hospitalized in each Brazilian region, identifying the most affected gender and age group, and quantifying the number of hospitalizations per year surveyed. Methods: This is an epidemiological, quantitative, exploratory, descriptive and retrospective study. Data collection was carried out by the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) on hospital admissions for pneumonia in Brazil from 2020 to 2023. Results: the Southeast and Northeast regions concentrate a greater number of patients hospitalized for this pathology. Men and women are affected in almost the same way. Children and the elderly are the age groups with the highest hospitalization. The years 2020 and 2021 had a lower number of hospitalizations than the two subsequent years. Conclusion: measures are necessary to improve the prevention of the disease in patients vulnerable to risk and avoid the occurrence of complications that lead to hospitalization.