Impact of Dementia on Hospital Morbidity in the SUS: Distribution of Total Hospitalization Costs by Sex and Region in Brazil

Abstract

Dementia is a neurodegenerative syndrome that causes progressive decline in cognitive functions and represents a growing challenge for public health systems, especially in the context of population aging. This study aimed to analyze hospital morbidity due to dementia within the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS), assessing the distribution of total hospitalization costs by sex and region in Brazil from 2020 to 2025. It is an ecological, descriptive, and quantitative study using secondary data obtained from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) via DATASUS, considering hospitalizations where dementia was the primary diagnosis, according to ICD-10 codes. The variables analyzed were sex, region, and total hospitalization costs, with descriptive analysis performed to identify distribution patterns. Results showed the highest concentration of expenses in the Southeast region, followed by the South and Center-West regions, with lower values in the Northeast and North regions. Females presented higher total costs compared to males, reflecting greater prevalence and longevity. The financial impact of dementia on SUS is significant, highlighting the need to strengthen primary care, promote early diagnosis, and expand continuous care to reduce preventable hospitalizations and ensure the sustainability of the public health system amid Brazil’s aging population.