OSTEOMYELITIS IN BRAZIL: AN EPIDEMIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF 2019-2023

Abstract

Introduction Osteomyelitis is a bone infection characterized by the progressive destruction of cortical bone and medullary cavity, and is a relevant disease due to its probable deleterious consequences for patients. Objective: The study aims to investigate the epidemiology of osteomyelitis in Brazil, focusing on hospitalizations by the SUS (Unified Health System) and deaths between 2019 and 2023, to understand regional disparities. Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study, with a quantitative approach to the data, through secondary data collected in the Department of Computer Science of the SUS (DATASUS). The data refer to hospital morbidity due to osteomyelitis during the years from 2019 to 2023, with the period evaluated being from January 2019 to December 2023. Results: There were 71,817 hospitalizations for osteomyelitis in Brazil. The Southeast region had the highest prevalence of cases (40.59%) and reached a higher mortality rate than the other regions. It was noted that the ages most affected by the disease are between 40 and 49 years old. Finally, it was verified that in all regions the male sex is more affected than the female sex. Conclusion: Some risk groups were identified in the study; among them, the male sex, age between 40-49 years and the Southeast region due to the high mortality rate from the disease. The high prevalence of the disease and its high morbidity and mortality reinforce the need for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.