COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF THE INCREASE IN COPD HOSPITALIZATIONS IN OLDER ADULTS IN PARANÁ DURING AND AFTER THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC (2020-2024)

Abstract

This study comparatively analyzed hospitalizations for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) among older adults in the metropolitan regions of Paraná between 2020 and 2024, considering regional and sex-related differences. To this end, secondary data from the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SIH-SUS), made available by DATASUS, were used to evaluate the temporal evolution of hospitalizations during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. A similar pattern was observed among men and women, characterized by instability in hospitalization rates during the initial years of the pandemic, followed by a marked increase between 2021 and 2022 and the maintenance of elevated levels in subsequent years. A higher absolute number of hospitalizations was observed among older women compared with men, although both sexes showed a similar temporal trend throughout the analyzed period. Furthermore, important differences were identified among the metropolitan regions, particularly Curitiba and Londrina, which accounted for the highest numbers of hospitalizations in the historical series. It is concluded that COPD remains an important cause of hospital morbidity among the older population, highlighting the need to strengthen prevention strategies, early diagnosis, and continuous monitoring of this population, as well as to reduce regional inequalities related to healthcare assistance.