Descriptive study on the evolution of hospitalization costs for ambulatory care sensitive conditions in Brazil,...

to analyze the proportions of costs of hospitalizations for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSC) in relation to total hospitalization costs funded by the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in Brazil, in 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2013, according to sex, age and group of causes.

this is a descriptive study, with data from SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS); the proportion of hospitalization costs for ACSC was estimated in relation to total hospitalization costs.

proportions decreased from 23.6% (2000) to 17.4% (2013); higher rates occurred among women (29.8%), children (42.3%) and the elderly (31.7%); on the other hand, there was a significant increase in the proportion of hospitalization costs for angina (237.5%) and pneumonia (84.3%).

there were greater reductions in costs among children, elderly and women; however, the persistence of high proportion of costs attributed to cardiovascular diseases stands out, especially hospitalizations for angina.