Epidemiological profile trends and cost of sickle cell disease in Brazil from 2008 to 2022

TL;DR

This study analyzed the trends and costs of sickle cell disease in Brazil from 2008 to 2022, showing high hospitalization and mortality rates linked to disease crises.

Contribution

The study provides the first comprehensive analysis of SCD epidemiology and economic impact in Brazil over a 15-year period.

Findings

SCD hospitalizations were predominantly due to crises, with higher mortality rates in these cases.

Annual healthcare costs for SCD in Brazil exceeded 413 million USD.

Younger patients experienced higher hospitalization rates, highlighting the disease's impact on this demographic.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological profile trends and economic impact of sickle cell disease (SCD) in Brazil from 2008 to 2022, focusing on incidence, mortality, and healthcare costs.

A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the Fundação Oswaldo Cruz’s platform, Plataforma de Ciência de Dados Aplicada à Saúde, encompassing hospitalizations related to SCD from January 2008 to December 2022. The International Classification of Diseases codes for SCD were used to retrieve data on incidence, mortality, procedures performed, and healthcare costs.

The study included 151,535 hospitalizations for SCD, with 69.92% associated with SCD crises and 22.48% without crises. The mean annual hospitalizations were higher for crises (6,883.06) compared to those without crises (2,221.12). Mortality rates were significantly higher for patients hospitalized with crises compared to those without crises (p < 0.001). The economic impact of SCD was substantial, with annual costs exceeding 413 million USD.

This study revealed a significant burden of SCD in Brazil, characterized by high hospitalization rates, particularly among younger patients, and elevated mortality rates associated with crises. Prospective studies and public health interventions are warranted to address SCD and mitigate its impact on public health.

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