Diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment through the Brazilian National Health Insurance.

The current study aimed to investigate diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening and treatment coverages among diabetic patients evaluated through the Brazilian National Health Insurance from 2014 to 2019. The Brazilian Public Health System Information Database was used as the primary data source. DR screening coverage was calculated as the rate of procedures of clinical dilated fundus exam and color fundus photograph over the number of diabetic patients. DR treatment coverage was calculated as the rate of procedures of intravitreal injection, photocoagulation, and panretinal photocoagulation over the number of diabetic patients presumably in need of DR treatment. The overall screening coverage increased from 12.1% in 2014 to 21.2% in 2019 (p < 0.001) with substantial regional discrepancies so that North region was the only one with no changes along the period. The overall treatment coverage increased from 27.7% in 2014 to 44.1% in 2019, with Southeast and Midwest absorbing the demand for service from the North, Northeast and South. Despite an improvement along the past years, both screening and treatment coverages for DR in diabetes patients are ineffective in Brazil. Public health policies should address resources disparities throughout the country aiming to offer same healthcare conditions to patients regardless their geographic location.

Trends in cataract surgical treatment within the Brazilian national public health system over a 20-year period: Implications for Universal Eye Health as a global public health goal.

Cataract is a highly prevalent, treatable, and sight threatening condition considered one of the main focuses of public health policies addressing visual impairment and blindness towards Universal Eye Health. We aimed to investigate the trends on number of cataract surgical procedures performed through the Brazilian national health system (SUS) from 2000 to 2019 while also evaluating costs associated with it. The Brazilian Public Health System Information Database (DATASUS) was used as the primary data source for procedures including extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE) and phacoemulsification. Trends along the years were evaluated through generalized linear models. A total of 8,424,521 cataract procedures were performed from 2000 to 2019, with a significant increase along the years from 228,145 in 2000 to 663,186 in 2019 (p<0.001), a cataract surgical procedure rate change from 13.15 to 32.28 procedures per 10,000 people. It was observed a significant increase on the number of phacoemulsification (p<0.001) and a significant decrease on the number of ECCE (p<0.001). A shift on the predominant technique has occurred between 2007 and 2008 with phacoemulsification increasing its percentual representativity from 34.3% to 69.7% of all procedures, reaching 96.1% in 2019. Phacoemulsification costs per procedure increased 30.5% from from USD$119.00 to USD$155.33 (p = 0.007) and the ECCE costs per procedure increased 29.1% from USD$78.57 to USD$101.43 (p = 0.001). There is an increasing trend of procedures related to cataract treatment performed through SUS along the 20-years period and a switch on the technique predominance from ECCE to phacoemulsification was observed after 2007. The costs associated with both techniques have increased but have not followed the country's overall inflation. Data derived from DATASUS is important to understand the overall panorama of ocular health offered by the national health system and to provide information to guide healthcare leaders on management and planning of public health policies within the system.

Trends in treatment of retinal disorders in the Brazilian Public Health System over a 10-year period.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate trends in terms of number and cost of intravitreal injection, photocoagulation and panphotocoagulation procedures performed by the Brazilian Public Health System, from 2010 to 2019. METHODS: The Brazilian Public Health System Database was used as the primary source of data. Intravitreal injection, photocoagulation and panphotocoagulation procedures performed from 2010 to 2019 were investigated. Procedure prevalence and cost trends were analyzed according to year and region. Annual trends were examined using generalized linear models, with a significance level of 5% (p=0.05). RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the prevalence of intravitreal injections (1,088%), panphotocoagulation (51%) and photocoagulation (37%) procedures from 2010 to 2019. Intravitreal injections accounted for the most significant increase. However, costs were not significantly readjusted over the years. CONCLUSION: Over a 10-year period, there was a significant increase in the number of procedures associated with retinal disorders. Procedure costs saw little readjustments over time. In spite of limitations, inaccuracies and lack of details, the Brazilian Public Health System Database is the primary source of data for the Public Health System related research in Brazil, and can contribute with information on ocular health and costs of ophthalmic procedures.

Trends in treatment of retinal disorders in the Brazilian Public Health System over a 10-year period / Tendências no tratamento de distúrbios de retina no Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro em um período de 10 anos

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate trends in terms of number and cost of intravitreal injection, photocoagulation and panphotocoagulation procedures performed by the Brazilian Public Health System, from 2010 to 2019. Methods: The Brazilian Public Health System Database was used as the primary source of data. Intravitreal injection, photocoagulation and panphotocoagulation procedures performed from 2010 to 2019 were investigated. Procedure prevalence and cost trends were analyzed according to year and region. Annual trends were examined using generalized linear models, with a significance level of 5% (p=0.05). Results: There was a significant increase in the prevalence of intravitreal injections (1,088%), panphotocoagulation (51%) and photocoagulation (37%) procedures from 2010 to 2019. Intravitreal injections accounted for the most significant increase. However, costs were not significantly readjusted over the years. Conclusion: Over a 10-year period, there was a significant increase in the number of procedures associated with retinal disorders. Procedure costs saw little readjustments over time. In spite of limitations, inaccuracies and lack of details, the Brazilian Public Health System Database is the primary source of data for the Public Health System related research in Brazil, and can contribute with information on ocular health and costs of ophthalmic procedures.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar as tendências dos números e dos custos dos procedimentos de injeção intravítrea, fotocoagulação e panfotocoagulação realizados pelo Sistema Único de Saúde brasileiro, no período de 2010 a 2019. Métodos: Foram extraídos dados do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde acerca dos atendimentos associados aos procedimentos de injeção intravítrea, fotocoagulação e panfotocoagulação, realizados de 2010 a 2019. A prevalência de procedimentos e os custos foram analisados por ano e por região de atendimento. As tendências ao longo dos anos foram avaliadas por meio de modelos lineares generalizados. Valores de p=0,05 foram considerados estatisticamente significantes. Resultados: Em relação aos procedimentos específicos, houve aumento nas frequências de injeção intravítrea (1.088%), panfotocoagulação (51%) e fotocoagulação (37%), no comparativo de 2010 a 2019. A injeção intravítrea foi o procedimento que apresentou maior crescimento ao longo dos anos, porém não houve reajuste de custo significativo durante o período estudado. Conclusão: Ao longo de 10 anos, houve aumento significativo do número de atendimentos associados aos tratamentos de distúrbios da retina. Os custos relacionados aos procedimentos mostraram pouco reajuste ao longo dos anos. Embora o Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde apresente algumas limitações, como imprecisões e falta de detalhamento em alguns procedimentos, esta é a ferramenta de dados disponível no Brasil para o acesso a pesquisa relacionada ao Sistema Único de Saúde e pode contribuir com informações da saúde ocular e os custos dos procedimentos.