Geographic and temporal distribution of costs for hospital services in hospitalizations due to diabetes mellitus in the elderly by macro-regions of Ceará from 2019 to 2024

Título

Introdução

The prevalence of diabetes increases with advancing age, resulting in a growing burden on public healthcare expenditures in the state of Ceará over time.

Objetivo

To describe the geographic and temporal distribution of hospital service costs related to hospitalizations for diabetes mellitus in older adults across the macro-regions of Ceará from 2019 to 2024.

Método

This descriptive study used data extracted in July 2025 from the Hospital Information System (SIH) of the Department of Informatics of the Unified Health System (DATASUS). The unit of analysis was the cost of hospital services related to diabetes mellitus admissions during the period from 2019 to 2024. Hospitalizations were identified using ICD-10 codes E10 to E14, which include type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus, other specific types of diabetes mellitus and unspecified diabetes mellitus. To define the elderly population, individuals aged 60 years and older were included, in accordance with the Brazilian Elderly Statute (Law No. 10,741/2003). The five macro-regions of Ceará were analyzed: Fortaleza, Sobral, Cariri, Sertão Central and Litoral Leste. Data were organized using Microsoft Excel.

Resultados

The total cost of hospital services for diabetes mellitus hospitalizations in older adults across Ceará’s macro-regions amounted to R$ 11,513,185.22 between 2019 and 2024. The Fortaleza macro-region accounted for the highest expenditure, totaling R$ 5,962,868.63. The second and third highest costs were observed in the Cariri (R$ 2,494,780.91) and Sobral (R$ 1,519,906.08) regions. Sertão Central and Litoral Leste followed, with expenditures of R$ 1,051,169.67 and R$ 484,459.93, respectively. A progressive increase in total costs was noted over the study period, rising from R$ 167,620.23 in 2019 to R$ 2,341,024.70 in 2024. The average cost during the six-year period was R$ 9,562,331.30.

Conclusão

The Fortaleza macro-region had the highest hospital service costs for diabetes mellitus hospitalizations among older adults in Ceará. Additionally, the study revealed a consistent upward trend in costs over time, reflecting the increasing healthcare demands posed by aging populations affected by diabetes.

Palavras Chave

Diabetes Mellitus; Hospital Costs; Aged