Bronchiectasis: morbidity and mortality in Brazil and its impact on hospitalization rates

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the morbidity and mortality of bronchiectasis, its interface with the maintenance of hospitalization rates and unsatisfactory prognostic outcomes, as well as the negative impact on Brazilian public health. Methods: The clinical and epidemiological information came from the IT department of the Brazilian Unified Health System - DataSus, from which the required data was filtered through the SUS - CID10 list of morbidities. Information was sought, in absolute numbers, regarding the hospitalization of bronchiectasis patients, such as gender, age, time and cost of hospitalization, care regime, and the number of deaths due to the disease. Results: From the variables found, it was noted that in the period from January 2008 to February 2020, around 24,087 bronchiectasis patients were hospitalized. 65% of the total number of hospitalizations due to the disease consisted of adults, with a large portion in the productive phase (between 20 and 79 years). 84% of the patients sought health units in an emergency mode and 47% used public services at the time of hospitalization. The Brazilian average length of stay in hospital was estimated at 8.1 days and the cost of the service was around R$ 28 million in the twelve years analyzed. Besides, 698 deaths due to bronchiectasis were recorded in Brazil. Conclusions: Diseases such as bronchiectasis are far from the adequate management that chronic lung diseases require. Despite the significant diagnostic evolution, the etiology and treatment of disease is still questionable, providing unsatisfactory quality of life for bronchiectasis patients.