Hospitalizations due to lung cancer in Piauí: a descriptive ecological study

Keywords

lung neoplasms - epidemiology - public health

Introduction: Lung cancer (LC) is one of the leading causes of mortality, particularly in regions with limited access to healthcare services. However, the literature lacks studies on hospitalizations in Piauí (PI) that could inform more effective health policies.

Objectives: To evaluate the temporal trend and compare lung cancer hospitalizations in PI with other states in the Northeast of Brazil, outlining the epidemiological profile.

Methods: A descriptive ecological epidemiological study was conducted using data from the Hospital Information System (SIH) from 2014 to 2023, concerning hospitalizations for malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs (ICD C34). The variables analyzed included the year and month of service, number of hospitalizations, hospitalization rate per 100,000 inhabitants, sex, age, and type of service. Statistical analysis was performed using Simple Linear Regression, Kruskal-Wallis test, and Dunn's post-hoc test, using Statistics Kingdom software.

Results: A total of 2,193 hospitalizations for LC were recorded in PI during the study period. A trend of reduction by 0.03 hospitalizations per month was observed (p < 0.05, β1 = -0.030, CI [-0.057, -0.003], R = -0.20). The Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn's test, showed that PI had a significantly lower hospitalization rate compared to Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, and Pernambuco (p < 0.05), with no significant differences compared to other states. The epidemiological profile indicated that the male sex had a 1.27 times higher hospitalization rate than females, the hospitalization rate in the elderly was 8.50 times higher than in adults, and 76.6% of hospitalizations occurred on an emergency basis.

Conclusion: PI shows a reduction in LC hospitalizations, with rates lower than neighboring states. Men and the elderly are the most affected, with the majority of hospitalizations being emergency cases. The results suggest that this difference may be due to more effective preventive strategies, underreporting of cases, or greater exposure to risk factors in these groups. Future studies are needed to confirm these hypotheses and guide more targeted interventions.

Corresponding author: Hugo Antunes Macedo (e-mail: [e-mail]).

 

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No conflict of interest has been declared by the author(s).

Publication History

Article published online:
06 May 2025