Deaths due to traumatic brain injury in the Southeast region: epidemiological profile from 2021 to 2025

Abstract

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health issue, with an estimated prevalence of approximately 37.9 million cases worldwide. It is characterized by brain injury resulting from external force. Among the primary causes are motor vehicle accidents, which may explain the higher incidence of deaths in urban areas of the Southeast region of Brazil. Objective: To describe the epidemiological profile of deaths due to traumatic brain injury in the Southeast region over the past five years. Methods: This study employs a cross-sectional, retrospective epidemiological design with a quantitative approach. Data were collected from the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/SUS), linked to DATASUS. Within the ICD-10 morbidity list category, "Intracranial Injury" was selected, and the analyzed variables included hospitalizations, sex, age, and state. The data considered were restricted to the period from January 2021 to January 2025. Results: A total of 24,444 deaths due to intracranial injury were recorded in the Southeast region of Brazil. Among the states, São Paulo reported the highest number of records, totaling 12,990 (53.14%), while Espírito Santo had the lowest, with 1,269 (5.19%). Regarding sex, deaths from TBI were more prevalent among men, accounting for 18,880 (77.23%) due to greater exposure to primary risk factors such as occupational and traffic accidents, compared to 5,564 (22.76%) among women. In terms of age, the elderly (60 years and older) accounted for the largest number of records, with 13,045 (53.36%), likely due to higher prevalence of comorbidities, resulting in poorer responses to treatment. Furthermore, falls become increasingly frequent within this age group. This was followed by adults (20 to 59 years) with 10,449 (42.74%), and children and adolescents (0 to 19 years) with 950 (3.88%). Additionally, the mortality rate in the Southeast region was 10.26. Conclusion: The analysis of the records indicated a higher number of deaths among men, the elderly, and in the state of São Paulo. These data underscore the importance of early treatment and prevention measures for motor vehicle accidents in general, as well as falls among the elderly.