Cryptococcal infections in individuals with diabetes: an epidemiological analysis of SUS data in Brazil from 2011 to 2020

Abstract

Cryptococcosis is an invasive and opportunistic systemic mycosis. It is transmitted by fungi of the genus Cryptococcus, acquired by inhalation and causes infection or lodging in the lungs. It can present asymptomatically or with various symptoms and in cases of immune deficiency, such as those caused by diabetes, it can reactivate and tend to develop into meningoencephalitis or disseminated disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological indicators of cryptococcal infections in people living with diabetes in Brazil over a 10-year period (2011 to 2020). Data from DATASUS, SIM and SIH were analyzed to calculate hospital morbidity, mortality, gender, age group, race and area of residence. The results showed that during this period there were 1111 deaths from cryptococcosis, in male patients aged 35 to 64, of white or brown race. The states with the highest mortality rates were Roraima and Rio Grande do Norte. Hospital morbidity analyzed indicates that 4% of hospitalizations for diabetes result in death, rising to 6% in Roraima and 5% in Rio Grande do Norte. In Brazil, Cryptococcosis is not compulsorily notifiable, so the data is indirect, but it points to the need to improve data collection and investigation into the clinic.