Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To analyze hospitalizations, mortality, and costs related to cerebrovascular diseases in Brazil from 2017 to 2022 and to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on these numbers. METHODS: Data were collected from the Brazilian Unified Health System Information Technology Department via the Hospital and Mortality Information Systems. The 2010 censuses and the inter-census projections (2017 to 2022) of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics were searched for population data. The mortality rates and incidence of hospital admissions for cerebrovascular diseases were calculated by dividing the number of deaths and the number of hospital admissions due to cerebrovascular diseases by the total population at risk, multiplied by 100,000 inhabitants, respectively. The results were stratified by age groups, regions of Brazil, sex, and calendar years. Rates were standardized by age, following the direct method from the World Health Organization. RESULTS: Data on mortality from cerebrovascular diseases showed a significant reduction throughout Brazil in general and by sex. The Brazilian Northeast showed a decrease in overall mortality, especially in women, whereas its South showed stationary numbers. Hospitalization rates remain stable, with notable increases in the age groups for younger (from zero to four years of age) and female (from five to nine years of age). Hospitalization costs increased significantly throughout Brazil, with the highest increase in its Northeast, North, Southeast, and Midwest. CONCLUSION: Mortality rates from cerebrovascular diseases decreased in Brazil, showing regional and age group variations and a worrying increase in young men. Despite stable hospitalizations, hospital costs significantly increased, indicating greater complexity of cases and reinforcing the need for more effective prevention and control strategies.