HOSPITALIZATION RATES FOR CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE DURING THE SEASONAL WILDFIRE PERIOD IN THE STATE OF TOCANTINS, BRAZIL: A DESCRIPTIVE TIME-SERIES STUDY

Abstract

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an important public health problem due to its high morbidity and mortality rates and its impact on healthcare services. This study aimed to analyze the variation in hospitalization rates for COPD during the seasonal wildfire period in the state of Tocantins, Brazil, from 2019 to 2024. This was a quantitative, descriptive, retrospective time-series study based on secondary data obtained from the Brazilian Unified Health System Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) and the Wildfire Monitoring Program of the National Institute for Space Research (INPE). Hospitalizations and deaths due to COPD were analyzed according to year of occurrence, sex, age group, monthly distribution, and wildfire hotspots. A total of 2,609 hospitalizations and 309 deaths due to COPD were identified. A higher frequency of hospitalizations was observed among males and older age groups. Wildfire hotspots showed marked seasonality, with a concentration during the dry season, especially between May and September. However, the highest proportion of hospitalizations occurred during the rainy season. It is concluded that COPD hospitalizations did not directly follow the seasonal pattern of wildfires during the analyzed period, suggesting the influence of multiple environmental and epidemiological factors on disease behavior in the state of Tocantins.