Análise descritiva das internações e óbitos por asma no nordeste do Brasil: Desafios no contexto da pandemia de COVID-19

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of people around the world, being one of the main causes of hospital admissions in Brazil. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only brought with it direct challenges related to the new coronavirus but has also had significant impacts on several areas of healthcare, including the management of pre-existing conditions such as asthma. The intersection between the pandemic and hospital admissions reveals a complex dynamic, in which factors such as exposure to the virus, social distancing measures and changes in standards of care play crucial roles. Knowing this, it is important to collect pre- and post-pandemic epidemiological profiles, understand the impact of the pandemic on hospitalizations and deaths related to asthma and identify the most vulnerable population groups. The objective of this article was to analyse the prevalence and epidemiological profile of hospitalizations and deaths related to asthma in the Northeast of Brazil from 2018 to 2022. This is a quantitative and retrospective study, which analyses hospitalizations and deaths caused by asthma in the northeast region. based on public data available in the Hospital Information System (SIH) of the Unified Health System (SUS). During the period analysed, there was a 24.7% reduction in hospitalizations and a 29.2% increase in deaths. The state of Bahia had the highest number of hospitalizations and deaths, predominantly among children aged 1 to 4 years. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in hospital expenses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the epidemiological profile of the incidence of hospitalizations and deaths due to asthma is crucial to support effective prevention, treatment, and management strategies for this chronic respiratory condition.