Beriberi in Brazil: A Disease That Affects Indigenous People

Abstract

Background: Beriberi is the clinical manifestation of thiamine deficiency. It is multicausal and typically associated with poverty and food insecurity among vulnerable populations, such as indigenous people. Objective: The objective of this study was to carry out a spatial analysis of reported cases of beriberi among indigenous people in Brazil. Methods: Cross-sectional study using time series data on suspected cases of beriberi reported to the Ministry of Health via the FormSUS between July 2013 and September 2018. Indigenous villages were georeferenced, and Kernel density estimation was used to identify patterns of the spatial distribution of beriberi cases. Results: A total of 414 cases of beriberi were reported in the country of which 210 (50.7%) were indigenous people. All the cases in indigenous people occurred in states located in the Legal Amazon (Maranhão, Roraima, and Tocantins). Kernel density estimation showed high-density areas in Tocantins and Roraima. Conclusions: This is the first nationwide study of reported cases of beriberi. The findings can be used to guide actions that contribute to the monitoring and prevention of beriberi among indigenous people.

Comparison of beriberi cases in indigenous and non-indigenous people, Brazil, 2013 to 2018

“…Beriberi should be recognized as a problem associated with food insecurity and poverty, as well as a neglected disease related to alcoholism and disproportionately affecting indigenous peoples 13 .…”

“…We conducted a cross-sectional study using time series data on cases of beriberi during the period July 2013-September 2018 derived from beriberi notification forms on the FormSUS platform, as described by Assunção et al 13 .…”

Comparação dos casos de beribéri entre indígenas e não indígenas, Brasil, 2013 a 2018

“…Devemos reconhecer o beribéri como uma doença associada à insegurança alimentar e à pobreza, constituindo-se também como uma doença negligenciada, associada ao alcoolismo e com predomínio de notificação de casos em indígenas no país 13 .…”

“…Trata-se de um estudo transversal, baseado em uma série histórica de casos de beribéri notificados por meio do formulário do SUS (FormSUS) ao Ministério da Saúde no período de julho de 2013 a setembro de 2018 no Brasil, conforme já descrito por Assunção et al 13 Os bancos de dados com os casos de beribéri foram disponibilizados em planilha de Excel pelo Ministério da Saúde por meio de uma fonte primária de informações registradas no FormSUS de 2013 a 2018, sendo coletados em novembro de 2018. O FormSUS é um serviço público do DA-TASUS para a criação de formulários eletrônicos, seguindo a legislação e a Política de Informação e Informática do SUS 14 .…”