HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR DIVERTICULAR DISEASE IN BRAZIL BETWEEN 2008 AND 2023: A QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

Introduction Diverticular disease can become a severe condition, responsible for over 24,645 deaths in Brazil between 2008 and 2022. Understanding the profile of hospitalization rates within the Unified Health System (SUS) for this condition is crucial for assessing its impact and planning healthcare actions.

Objective To conduct a quantitative and qualitative assessment of hospitalizations for diverticular disease in Brazil during the period from 2008 to 2023.

Methods A retrospective observational study analyzed the time series of hospitalization rates for Diverticular Disease of the Intestine (ICD-10 K57) in Brazil between 2008 and 2023. Data were obtained from DATASUS, and rates were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants. Trend analysis was conducted using segmented linear regression (joinpoint). Measures such as Annual Percent Change (APC) and Average Annual Percent Change (AAPC) were used to evaluate trends over the period, considering 95% Confidence Intervals (CI).

Results During the period, 129,512 hospitalizations were identified, with 114,648 (88.52%) cases occurring as emergencies. The national hospitalization rate ranged from 2.75 (in 2008) to 5.53 (in 2023). Nationally, there was an increasing trend in hospitalization rates (AAPC 4.72), with higher rates observed in females (AAPC 5.13) and in the 40–59 age group (AAPC 3.48). A stationary trend was noted between 2018 and 2021 (APC -1.06; 95% CI: -3.52 to 2.76). The South region showed the highest growth in hospitalization rates (AAPC 4.88), followed by the Southeast (AAPC 4.42). The North, Northeast, and Central-West regions had higher AAPC values among females. The 40–59 age group showed the highest AAPC values in the Central-West and Northeast regions and was the only age group with a growing trend in the Central-West. The 20–39 age group had the highest AAPC values in the Southeast and South regions.

Conclusion The quantitative analysis of hospitalization data for diverticular disease revealed a growing trend, particularly in emergency admissions. Qualitative analysis highlighted that the increase in hospitalizations was concentrated among females aged 40–59 in the southernmost macroeconomic regions. This underscores the urgency of public health policies that address regional and gender-specific dynamics, which are essential for tackling the rise in hospitalizations for diverticular disease in the country.

 

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

Publication History

Article published online:
25 April 2025