Demographic characteristics and use of resources by patients with atopic dermatitis in the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS)

Abstract

Objective: The study aims to understand the demographic characteristics and use of resources related to atopic dermatitis (AD) treatment in the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SUS). Methods: Retrospective observational study of data obtained from Brazilian Health Informatics Department (Datasus). Patients of interest were selected using the ICD-10 L20 (AD). The data of interest were extracted from the Hospital (SIH) and the Outpatient Information System (SIA). Data were extracted from January 2015 to June 2020. Results: We identified 27,813 patients who underwent some procedure (outpatient or hospital) directly related to ICD-10 L20. The highest prevalence of patients is in the state of SP, with 28,6% of the total. We identified 116 patients who used some of the systemic therapies used in the treatment of AD, and cyclosporine was the most used drug (53%). However, all dispensations are linked to ICDs of diseases other than AD, but due to the premises adopted in this study, we assumed that the use of the drugs were for the treatment of AD, except for those related to transplantation. 49,245 procedures/visits were performed. A total of 5,006 hospitalizations were identified by 4,616 patients. A total transfer of 2,007,757.13 BRL was observed for health care, and 77% of this total represent hospitalization expenses. Conclusions: Understanding the profile of the population affected by AD in Brazil and the pattern of resource use can help to understand the burden of the disease on the public health system and assist in the development of clinical protocols and therapeutic guidelines for the treatment of the disease.