COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF HOSPITALIZATIONS FOR PHARYNGITIS AND ACUTE TONSILITES IN BRAZIL AND THE STATE OF PARANÁ BETWEEN 2010 AND 2024

Abstract

Acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis are upper respiratory tract infections with high prevalence, generating a significant number of hospitalizations in the Unified Health System (SUS). The objective of this study was to analyze and compare the epidemiological profile of hospital admissions for acute pharyngitis and tonsillitis (ICD-10 J02 and J03) in Brazil and the state of Paraná. An epidemiological, descriptive, and quantitative study was conducted based on secondary data from the Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS) of DATASUS, covering the period from January 2010 to December 2024. During the period, 162,261 admissions were recorded in Brazil, of which 5,085 (3.1%) occurred in Paraná. The results showed a predominantly pediatric profile, with 52.5% of national cases concentrated in children under 10 years of age. A clear seasonal pattern was observed, with hospitalization peaks in the autumn and winter months. A key finding was the abrupt reduction of more than 50% in hospitalizations in 2020, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The national average length of stay was 2.9 days, while in Paraná it was slightly lower (2.6 days). It is concluded that hospitalizations follow a clear epidemiological pattern, strongly impacted by public health measures from the pandemic, with Paraná showing slightly more efficient length-of-stay indicators than the Brazilian average.