Epidemiological profile of Stroke hospitalizations in Brazil from 2017 to 2022 and the role of primary health care

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is the most disabling neurological disorder and the second leading cause of death in Brazil. In turn, the acute and chronic clinical repercussions lead to the need for Primary Health Care (PHC) to act as a tool for access, continuity and quality of care, as well as to prevent risk factors. Objectives: To identify the profile of patients hospitalized for stroke in Brazil and the role of PHC. Methods: Quantitative, descriptive and ecological study based on TabNet data on stroke hospitalizations in Brazil during the years 2017 to 2022, using the variables processing year, region, sex and age group 1. Results: There were 971,205 hospitalizations for stroke with emphasis on 2022, which recorded 181,190 cases, 13% higher than the previous year and 16% above the average of the previous 5 years. By regions, the Southeast is the leader (42.4%), followed by the Northeast and South. According to gender, there was a predominance of male patients 10% more than females, a pattern observed in all regions. Per age group, the elderly (72%) were the most affected, with prevalence between 70 and 79 years (26.2%), highlighting the relation of population aging with the pathophysiological process of the disease. In this sense, it denotes the importance of the role of PHC in acting in primary prevention and control of risk factors related to stroke, as well as in the secondary prevention of new events, to reduce the number of hospitalizations. Conclusion: Stroke is a disease with high morbimortality. The epidemiological profile can be a potential tool for identifying and directing resources to PHC, especially considering regional sociodemographic aspects in order to offer prevention, quality care and resolve bad outcomes.