TEMPORAL ANALYSIS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR HEART FAILURE IN SANTA CATARINA (2019–2024)

Abstract

Heart failure is one of the leading causes of hospitalization within the Brazilian Unified Health System, presenting high morbidity and mortality rates and significant socioeconomic impact, particularly among older adults. This study aimed to analyze hospitalizations due to heart failure in the state of Santa Catarina from 2019 to 2024, describing temporal trends and epidemiological profile. This is a descriptive ecological observational study based on secondary data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), including hospitalizations coded as heart failure (ICD-10: I50 and variants). The variables analyzed were year of hospitalization, sex, age group, race/ethnicity, and in-hospital deaths. A total of 47,610 hospitalizations were recorded during the study period. A marked reduction was observed in 2021 (6,568 cases), possibly associated with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, followed by recovery and stabilization at high levels from 2022 onward, exceeding 8,000 hospitalizations annually, with a peak in 2024 (8,461 cases). There was a balanced distribution between sexes, with a slight predominance of females (50.5%). Most cases occurred among individuals aged 60 years or older (70.3%), particularly those aged 80 years and over (12,475 hospitalizations). Regarding race/ethnicity, most hospitalizations occurred among white individuals (approximately 89%), reflecting the state’s demographic composition. A total of 3,146 deaths were recorded, all associated with diseases of the circulatory system. The findings indicate that heart failure remains a significant public health concern in Santa Catarina, with a substantial burden among the elderly population. Strengthening primary health care, optimizing clinical management, and ensuring longitudinal follow-up are essential to reduce recurrent hospitalizations and associated mortality.