OSTEOARTICULAR INFECTIONS IN BRAZIL: A CLINICAL-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDY ON OSTEOMYELITIS

Abstract

Osteomyelitis is a bone infection characterized by the progressive destruction of bone tissue, often originating from exposed fractures or major orthopedic procedures. This descriptive and retrospective study analyzed hospital admissions for osteomyelitis in Brazil between 2018 and 2023, based on data from DATASUS. Variables such as age group, sex, race/color, region, type of care, and mortality were evaluated. During the study period, 87,827 hospitalizations were recorded, with the highest concentration in 2023 (18.24%) and predominance in the Southeast region (40.36%). Most cases were treated as emergencies (75.20%). Male patients accounted for 71.54% of hospitalizations, and the most affected age group was 40 to 49 years (18.11%). The most frequent race/color was mixed race (47.14%). The study identified 1,117 deaths, with the highest numbers in 2022 (18.53%). The average hospital stay increased over the period, reaching 9.2 days in 2023. The findings highlight the severity of osteomyelitis, evidenced by high morbidity and mortality rates and the need for complex interventions. This work contributes to a deeper understanding of this clinical condition and the improvement of care provided to affected patients.