Epidemiological aspects and health expenditures for dementia in Brazil

Abstract

Aging in our country occurs progressively. Dementia is a syndrome that is characterized by cognitive decline. The objective of the study was to outline the epidemiological aspects and to describe health costs due to dementia in Brazil. This is a cross-sectional, descriptive study of a quantitative approach that used 2018 data on dementia from a secondary source from the Ministry of Health. Data concerning days of hospitalization, number of deaths, and mortality rate were collected. Data were tabulated in Microsoft Excel 2010 and shown using descriptive statistics. There were 8,663 hospital admissions for dementia in Brazil, under the Unified Health System. Most were male, 52.4%. The total amount paid for care from all these hospitalizations was R$ 14,762,523.68 and the amount spent for total hospital service was R$ 13,619,466.40. Deaths due to dementia in Brazil was 275 and the mortality rate was 9.51. The hospitalization costs shown in the study reflect the high financial amount available for dementia syndromes, both in hospitalizations and in attendance expenses. The costs, although expressive, partially reflect the reality, since not all cases are reported by professionals and institutions. Thus, it is evident the need for funding to public programs concerning dementia syndrome, aiming at a proper diagnosis, treatment, and care and the search for cost reduction.