Abstract

LOYOLA FILHO, Antônio Ignácio de et al. Causes of public hospital admissions among older adults in Brazil´s Unified Health System. Epidemiol. Serv. Saúde [online]. 2004, vol.13, n.4, pp.229-238. ISSN 1679-4974.  http://dx.doi.org/10.5123/S1679-49742004000400005.

The profile of hospitalized older adults (60 years or more) in Brazil was described, and compared to that of adults aged 20-59 years, with an emphasis on the cause of hospital admission. The sources of data analyzed were the national information system of hospital admissions for Brazil´s Unified Health System (SIH-SUS) and the estimated population for 2001. The risk of hospitalization was higher among older adults for almost all causes investigated. Cardiovascular, respiratory and digestive diseases were responsible for 60% of hospitalizations among older adults, while for younger adults the corresponding percentage was 38%. The three leading causes of hospital admissions among the elderly (both males and females) were heart failure, bronchitis/emphysema, other chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, and pneumonia. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of the systematic use of data available in SIH-SUS for the planning and monitoring of health actions targeting the elderly population in Brazil

Keywords : hospitalization; elderly; Brazil.

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