The Burden of Stroke in the Southeast Region of Brazil in 2019: an Estimate Based on Secondary Data from the Brazilian United Health System

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases account for the highest morbidity and mortality in Brazil, with a high demand in access to the services of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) and major economic and social impacts due to premature deaths and years lived with disability (YLD). 1,2 Among cardiovascular diseases, stroke is the fifth leading cause of death worldwide and one of the main causes of living with disability. Stroke is related to the presence of arterial hypertension, diabetes, obesity, physical inactivity, and advanced age, and it may occur due to rupture or obstruction of a cerebral blood vessel. 3 In 2018, most of the deaths registered in Brazil (27%) occurred due to diseases of the circulatory system (Chapter IX of the Tenth Revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems [ICD 10]), with stroke being the second cause of mortality of vascular origin (13,000 deaths) throughout the Southeast Region of Brazil, impacting the number of years of life lost (YLL). 4 Even though stroke accounts for a large number of deaths in different age groups in Brazil, the majority of patients survive stroke; however, they return to social life with physical and functional limitations, which increase government spending on treatments and social security benefits, impacting the number of YLD. 5,6

Estatística Cardiovascular – Brasil 2023

“…Ao se ajustar para o tamanho da população, observou-se maior impacto no sexo masculino em Minas Gerais, particularmente no grupo etário de 70-79 anos. 78 …”

“…When adjusted for population size, the highest impact was observed in the male sex in the Minas Gerais state, particularly in the age group of 70-79 years. 78 …”

Sex Disparity in Stroke Mortality among Adults: A Time Series Analysis in the Greater Vitoria Region, Brazil (2000–2021)

“…Updated information on the temporal trend of stroke mortality for both sexes has been published for the north and northeast regions of Brazil [ 6 , 7 ]. The disease burden, as evidenced by the disability-adjusted life years indicator, was reported for several populations in Brazil, including the southeast region [ 18 ]. However, to the best of our knowledge, there are no updated studies on sex disparities in stroke mortality among adults in the metropolitan area of Greater Vitoria, located in the southeast region of Brazil.…”

Analyzing the Impact of Stroke in the Southeast Region of Brazil

“…Despite not being the Brazilian macro-region with the largest territorial extension, the Southeast concentrates the greatest economic activities, the largest proportion of gross domestic product, and the largest populations in relation to the other four Brazilian macro-regions. 3 Some particularities of the analyzed article 4 warrant discussion, first in relation to the restriction of the analysis to the Southeast Region of Brazil and second to using the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS) as a source of data collection. 5 The SIH/SUS, although very comprehensive, does not include all the information on hospitalizations due to stroke.…”