EVOLUTION OF SEPSIS MORTALITY RATES IN THE STATE OF ALAGOAS, BRAZIL: A DECADE-LONG ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study aimed to describe sepsis mortality in the state of Alagoas, Brazil, from 2015 to 2024. This was an ecological, descriptive time-series study using data from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and population estimates provided by the Department of Informatics of the Brazilian Unified Health System (DATASUS). Deaths of residents whose underlying cause was classified under categories A40 and A41 of the International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision (ICD-10), were included. Absolute and relative frequencies and mortality rates per 100,000 inhabitants were calculated by year of death, sex, age group, and health region of residence. A total of 4,004 sepsis deaths were recorded during the period. The number of deaths rose from 276 in 2015 to 587 in 2024, and the mortality rate increased from 8.68 to 18.23 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, with the highest value in 2022 (18.98). Females accounted for 52.3% of deaths, and people aged 60 years or older for 72.2% of the total. The 1st Health Region recorded the highest absolute number of deaths (1,660), and the 7th Health Region the highest rate over the period (14.9 per 100,000 inhabitants). In conclusion, sepsis mortality increased over the study period, with deaths concentrated among older adults and differences across health regions, which indicates the need for continuous epidemiological monitoring and for strengthening strategies for the early recognition and treatment of sepsis.