Time trend and costs of hospitalizations with diabetes mellitus as main diagnosis in the Brazilian National Health System, 2011 to 2019.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the diabetes mellitus (DM) temporal trend and hospitalization costs in Brazil, by region, Federative Units (FUs) and population characteristics, from 2011 to 2019.

Methods: This was an ecological study with data from the Hospital Information System, analyzing the annual trend in hospitalization rates for DM according to sex, age, race/skin color and region/FU by Prais-Winsten generalized linear regression.

Results: A total of 1,239,574 DM hospitalizations were recorded in the country and the hospitalization rates was 6.77/10,000 inhabitants in the period. The DM hospitalization rates trend was falling for both sexes and in most regions, while it was rising in the younger population and for length of stay (average 6.17 days). Total expenditure was US$ 420,692.23 and it showed a rising trend.

Conclusion: The temporal trend of hospitalization rates due to DM was falling, with differences according to region/FU and age group. Average length of stay and expenditure showed a rising trend.

Main results: From 2011 to 2019, the diabetes mellitus hospitalization rate was 6.77 per 10,000 inhabitants, with a falling trend. Total expenditure was US$420,692.23 and it showed a rising trend.

Implications for services: The study warns of the increase in child and adolescent hospitalizations, which indicates the need to invest in preventive actions and early diagnosis.

Perspectives: The increase in length of hospital stay and related costs indicates a worrying scenario for the Brazilian National Health System and emphasizes the need to improve access to and quality of care, with a focus on diabetes education, so as to avoid complications and hospitalizations.