Trends in Fracture-Related Hospitalizations and Mortality in Brazil, 2015-2024

Bone fractures represent a growing public health concern worldwide, yet national epidemiological assessments remain limited in Brazil. Understanding temporal trends, demographic disparities, and geographic heterogeneity is essential to guide prevention, resource allocation, and trauma-care planning. To characterize the epidemiological profile of bone-fracture-related hospitalizations and mortality in Brazil between 2015 and 2024, analyzing trends by sex, age, fracture type, and geographic and ethnic distribution.

An epidemiological, observational, descriptive, and population-based ecological study was conducted using Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System SIH/SUS and IBGE data. Hospitalization rates, case fatality rates (CFR), relative risks, odds ratios, and Years of Life Lost (YLL) were calculated. Temporal trends were evaluated using Annual Percent Change (APC).

Other limb fractures were the most frequent injuries, while femur fractures showed the highest lethality. Men had nearly twice the hospitalization rate of women, driven by high-energy trauma in adults aged 20-59 years, whereas women experienced a sharp increase in femur-fracture admissions at older ages. Skull, facial, and thorax/pelvis fractures contributed disproportionately to premature mortality. Marked geographic and ethnic disparities were observed, with higher burdens in the North/Northeast and predominance among Brown and Indigenous populations.

Fracture-related hospitalizations in Brazil have increased consistently, with distinct epidemiological patterns across demographic and regional groups. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention and improved trauma-care strategies.