Analysis of the Profile of Hospitalizations for Treatment of Migraine and Other Cephalic Pain Syndromes in Brazil, from 2013 to 2023.

Abstract

Introduction: Headache is one of the most common complaints in medical consultations and one of the most frequent diagnoses in general practice and neurology outpatient clinics. Objectives: To analyze the profile of hospitalizations for migraine and other cephalic pain syndromes in Brazil from 2013 to 2023. Method: Descriptive ecological study, through data collection by the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), linked to the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS) in may 2024. The numbers of hospital admissions for migraine and other cephalic pain syndromes in the Brazilian population from 2013 to 2023 were analyzed. The variables used were: Age group, gender, race, year of hospitalization, federation unit/region, average length of stay and average value. Results: During the period analyzed, there were 102,882 hospitalizations for migraine and other cephalic pain syndromes, with 2019 having the highest number of cases (12,120). The Southeast region accounted for 33.2% of these cases (34,189) and the state of São Paulo alone accounted for 22,260 cases. A higher predominance of hospitalizations was observed in females (65.9% of cases, 67,783 women). Regarding race, white prevailed (40.1%, 41,334). The predominant age group was 20-59 years (66.4% of cases, 68,330 individuals). Regarding the average length of stay of hospitalizations and their costs, the Northeast region had the highest average, from 3 to 4 days, and also the highest value, 588.12 reais above the national average of 464.51 reais. Conclusion: In view of the analysis, it was possible to observe that the epidemiological profile of hospitalizations in Brazil is in the age group between 20-59 years, most of them are white, female and residents of the state of São Paulo. Thus, the present study reveals that the prevalence of cases in these specific groups may be the result of vulnerability associated with socioeconomic, sociodemographic, and behavioral factors. Based on these conclusions, the formulation of public health policies in Brazil for the prevention and control of headache can be better implemented.