Cardiovascular Statistics ­ Brazil 2023 / Estatística Cardiovascular ­ Brasil 2023

The publication Cardiovascular Statistics ­ Brazil aims to provide an annual compilation of data and research on the epidemiology of CVDs in Brazil.  The report integrates official statistics from the Brazilian Ministry of Health and other governmental entities alongside data from the GBD project, coordinated by the IHME at the University of Washington. Additionally, it incorporates data derived from various sources and scientific studies, including cohorts and registries, that relate to CVDs and their associated risk factors. This publication is intended for a wide range of individuals, including researchers, clinicians, patients, healthcare policymakers, media professionals, the general public, and other interested parties seeking extensive national data about heart disease and stroke.  Volunteer researchers from various Brazilian universities and research institutions carry out the project. The group is led by a five-member steering committee (ALPR, CAP, DCM, GMMO, and LCCB). The Brazilian Society of Cardiology fully supports this initiative, and the project receives collaborative support from the GBD Brazil Network and an International Committee (GAR, PP, and TAG) from both the IHME/University of Washington (GAR) and the World Heart Federation (PP and TAG). 

A publicação Estatística Cardiovascular ­ Brasil tem por objetivo fornecer uma compilação anual dos dados e das pesquisas sobre a epidemiologia das DCV no Brasil.  Este documento integra as estatísticas oficiais do Ministério da Saúde do Brasil e outras entidades governamentais ao lado de dados do projeto GBD, coordenado pelo IHME da Universidade de Washington. Além disso, incorpora dados derivados de várias fontes e estudos científicos, inclusive coortes e registros, relacionados às DCV e fatores de risco associados. Esta publicação destina-se a um público variado, incluindo pesquisadores, clínicos, pacientes, formuladores de políticas de saúde, profissionais da mídia, o público em geral e todos aqueles que buscam dados nacionais abrangentes sobre DCV e acidente vascular cerebral. Pesquisadores voluntários de várias universidades e instituições de pesquisa brasileiros realizaram este projeto. O grupo é liderado por um comitê diretivo com cinco membros (ALPR, CAP, DCM, GMMO e LCCB). A Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia apoia integralmente esta iniciativa e o projeto recebe colaboração da Rede GBD Brasil1 e do GBD International Committee (GAR, PP e TAG) do IHME/Universidade de Washington (GAR) e da World Heart Federation (PP e TAG). 

Improving the quality of external cause of death data in Brazil: evaluation and validation of a new form to investigate garbage codes.

Garbage codes, such as external causes with no specific information, indicate poor quality cause of death data. Investigation of garbage codes via an effective instrument is necessary to convert them into useful data for public health. This study analyzed the performance and suitability of the new investigation of deaths from external causes (IDEC) form to improve the quality of external cause of death data in Brazil. The performance of the IDEC form on 133 external garbage codes deaths was compared with a stratified matched sample of 992 (16%) investigated deaths that used the standard garbage codes form. Consistency between these two groups was checked. The percentage of garbage codes from external causes reclassified into valid causes with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was analyzed. Reclassification for specific causes has been described. Qualitative data on the feasibility of the form were recorded by field investigators. Investigation using the new form reduced all external garbage codes by -92.5% (95%CI: -97.0; -88.0), whereas the existing form decreased garbage codes by -60.5% (95%CI: -63.5; -57.4). The IDEC form presented higher effectivity for external-cause garbage codes of determined intent. Deaths that remained garbage codes mainly lacked information about the circumstances of poisoning and/or vehicle accidents. Despite the fact that field investigators considered the IDEC form feasible, they suggested modifications for further improvement. The new form was more effective than the current standard form in improving the quality of defined external causes.

Patterns of abuse of elderly people in Brazil: analysis of notifications.

This study aimed to describe the characteristics of elderly people abuse notifications by gender and to assess notification patterns according to gender. We analyzed data from the Brazilian Information System for Notificable Diseases (SINAN) in 2017. We carried out a descriptive analysis of victim characteristics, violence, and the probable perpetrator according to gender. Pearson's χ2 test was used to assess the significance between groups. Then, we verified the main relationships between the studied characteristics and the victim's gender by simple correspondence analysis (SCA). Thus, 17,311 cases/suspicions of elderly people abuse were notified, corresponding to 7.2% of the total number of violence notifications. Of these victims, 50.4% were white, 42.3% were married, and 17.2% had a disability/disorder; 76.9% occurred at home, 62.8% included physical violence, and 49.5% were cases of repeated violence. Most perpetrators were men (62%), and violence by two or more perpetrators was observed in 62.8% of the cases. SCA evidenced inequalities in older adults' gender, which proved to be higher among women. Physical violence was the most common among younger and old individuals, whereas neglect/abandonment tended to occur more frequently among the oldest individuals, and was most often committed by daughters. In sum, this study demonstrated evidence of gender-based violence, especially among older adults. Disability proved to be an essential characteristic for neglect/abandonment in older adults. In this context, policies are needed to reduce gender inequalities and implement a care network for older adults who are victims of violence.

Improving the quality of external cause of death data in Brazil: evaluation and validation of a new form to investigate garbage codes / Melhorando a qualidade dos dados de causa externa de morte no Brasil: avaliação e validação de um novo formulário para investigar códigos garbage / Mejora en la calidad de los datos de causa externa de muerte en Brasil: evaluación y validación de un nuevo formulario para investigar códigos garbage

Garbage codes, such as external causes with no specific information, indicate poor quality cause of death data. Investigation of garbage codes via an effective instrument is necessary to convert them into useful data for public health. This study analyzed the performance and suitability of the new investigation of deaths from external causes (IDEC) form to improve the quality of external cause of death data in Brazil. The performance of the IDEC form on 133 external garbage codes deaths was compared with a stratified matched sample of 992 (16%) investigated deaths that used the standard garbage codes form. Consistency between these two groups was checked. The percentage of garbage codes from external causes reclassified into valid causes with a 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was analyzed. Reclassification for specific causes has been described. Qualitative data on the feasibility of the form were recorded by field investigators. Investigation using the new form reduced all external garbage codes by -92.5% (95%CI: -97.0; -88.0), whereas the existing form decreased garbage codes by -60.5% (95%CI: -63.5; -57.4). The IDEC form presented higher effectivity for external-cause garbage codes of determined intent. Deaths that remained garbage codes mainly lacked information about the circumstances of poisoning and/or vehicle accidents. Despite the fact that field investigators considered the IDEC form feasible, they suggested modifications for further improvement. The new form was more effective than the current standard form in improving the quality of defined external causes.

Códigos garbage (códigos inespecíficos ou incompletos), como causas externas sem informações específicas, indicam dados de má qualidade sobre a causa da morte. É necessário investigar os códigos garbage com um instrumento efetivo para convertê-los em dados úteis para a saúde pública. Este estudo analisou o desempenho e a adequação do novo formulário de investigação de óbitos por causas externas (IDEC) para melhorar a qualidade dos dados de causa externa de morte no Brasil. O desempenho deste formulário em 133 óbitos com códigos garbage de causas externas foi comparado com uma amostra estratificada e pareada de 992 (16%) óbitos investigados que utilizaram o formulário padrão de códigos garbage existente. A consistência entre esses dois grupos foi verificada. Analisou-se o percentual de códigos garbage de causas externas reclassificados em causas válidas com um intervalo de 95% de confiança (IC95%). A reclassificação para causas específicas foi descrita. Dados qualitativos sobre a viabilidade do formulário foram registrados por pesquisadores de campo. A investigação com o novo formulário reduziu todos os códigos garbage de causas externas em -92,5% (IC95%: -97,0; -88,0) enquanto o formulário existente diminuiu os códigos garbage em -60,5% (IC95%: -63,5; -57,4). O formulário IDEC foi mais eficaz para os códigos garbage de causa externa sem intenção indeterminada. As mortes que permaneceram como códigos garbage careciam principalmente de informações detalhadas sobre as circunstâncias do envenenamento e dos acidentes de trânsito. O formulário IDEC foi considerado viável pelos investigadores de campo, no entanto, eles sugeriram modificações para um maior aperfeiçoamento. O novo formulário foi mais eficaz do que o formulário padrão atual na melhoria da qualidade das causas externas definidas.

Códigos garbage (códigos inespecíficos o incompletos), como causas externas inespecíficas, son los indicadores de datos de mala calidad sobre la causa de muerte. Es necesario investigar los códigos garbage con un instrumento eficaz para convertirlos en datos útiles para la salud pública. Este estudio analizó el desempeño y la adecuación del nuevo formulario de investigación de muertes por causas externas (IDEC) para mejorar la calidad de los datos de causa externa de muerte en Brasil. El desempeño de este formulario en 133 muertes con códigos garbage de causas externas se comparó con una muestra estratificada y emparejada de 992 (16%) muertes investigadas que usaron el formulario estándar de códigos garbage existente. Se comprobó la consistencia entre estos dos grupos. Se analizó el porcentaje de códigos garbage por causas externas reclasificados en causas válidas con un intervalo del 95% de confianza (IC95%). Se procedió a una reclasificación por causas específicas. Los datos cualitativos sobre la viabilidad del formulario fueron registrados por investigadores de campo. La investigación con el nuevo formulario tuvo una reducción de todos los códigos garbage de causas externas en -92,5% (IC95%: -97,0; -88,0), mientras que el formulario existente redujo todos los códigos garbage de causas externas en -60,5% (IC95%: -63,5; -57,4). El formulario IDEC fue el más efectivo para códigos garbage de causa externa sin intención indeterminada. Las muertes que quedaron como códigos garbage carecían principalmente de información detallada sobre las circunstancias de envenenamiento y de accidentes de tránsito. Los investigadores de campo confirmaron la viabilidad del formulario IDEC, además de sugerir modificaciones para mejorarlo. El nuevo formulario fue el más efectivo que el formulario estándar actual en cuanto a la mejora de la calidad de las causas externas definidas.

Patterns of abuse of elderly people in Brazil: analysis of notifications / Padrões de abuso de idosos no Brasil: uma análise de notificações / Patrones de maltrato a las personas mayores en Brasil: análisis de las notificaciones

This study aimed to describe the characteristics of elderly people abuse notifications by gender and to assess notification patterns according to gender. We analyzed data from the Brazilian Information System for Notificable Diseases (SINAN) in 2017. We carried out a descriptive analysis of victim characteristics, violence, and the probable perpetrator according to gender. Pearson's χ2 test was used to assess the significance between groups. Then, we verified the main relationships between the studied characteristics and the victim's gender by simple correspondence analysis (SCA). Thus, 17,311 cases/suspicions of elderly people abuse were notified, corresponding to 7.2% of the total number of violence notifications. Of these victims, 50.4% were white, 42.3% were married, and 17.2% had a disability/disorder; 76.9% occurred at home, 62.8% included physical violence, and 49.5% were cases of repeated violence. Most perpetrators were men (62%), and violence by two or more perpetrators was observed in 62.8% of the cases. SCA evidenced inequalities in older adults' gender, which proved to be higher among women. Physical violence was the most common among younger and old individuals, whereas neglect/abandonment tended to occur more frequently among the oldest individuals, and was most often committed by daughters. In sum, this study demonstrated evidence of gender-based violence, especially among older adults. Disability proved to be an essential characteristic for neglect/abandonment in older adults. In this context, policies are needed to reduce gender inequalities and implement a care network for older adults who are victims of violence.

Este estudo teve como objetivo descrever as características das notificações de abuso de idosos por sexo e avaliar os padrões de notificação de acordo com o sexo. Foram analisados dados do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação de 2017. A análise descritiva das características da vítima, da violência e do provável agressor foi feita de acordo com o sexo. O teste do χ2 de Pearson foi utilizado para avaliar a significância entre os grupos. Em seguida, as principais relações entre as características estudadas e o sexo da vítima foram verificadas por meio da análise de correspondência simples (ACS). Assim, 17.311 casos ou suspeitas de abuso de idosos foram notificados, correspondendo a 7,2% do total de notificações de violência. Dessas vítimas, 50,4% são brancas, 42,3% casadas e 17,2% têm uma deficiência ou um transtorno. Dos casos, 76,9% ocorreram em casa, sendo 62,8% por violência física e 49,5% por violência recorrente. A maioria dos perpetradores é do sexo masculino (62%), e observamos violência por dois ou mais perpetradores em 62,8%. A ACS evidenciou desigualdades no sexo dos idosos, em que o número de mulheres era maior. A violência física mais comum entre adultos, mais jovens e mais velhos, é a negligência ou o abandono dos mais frágeis e mais idosos, mais frequentemente praticada pela filha. Em suma, o estudo evidenciou a violência de gênero, especialmente entre os idosos, e a debilidade como característica essencial para a negligência ou abandono dessa população. Nesse contexto, são necessárias políticas para reduzir as desigualdades, especialmente as de gênero, e implementar uma rede de cuidado aos idosos vítimas de violência.

El objetivo del presente estudio es describir las características de las notificaciones de malos tratos a personas mayores por sexo y evaluar los patrones de notificación en función del sexo. Se analizaron los datos del Sistema Brasileño de Información de Enfermedades de Notificación (SINAN) de 2017. Se realizó un análisis descriptivo de las características de la víctima, la violencia y el probable agresor según el sexo. Se utilizó la prueba χ2 de Pearson para evaluar la significación entre grupos. A continuación, se verificaron las principales relaciones entre las características estudiadas y el sexo de la víctima mediante análisis de correspondencias simples (ACS). Así, se notificaron 17.311 casos/sospechas de malos tratos a personas mayores, lo que corresponde al 7,2% del número total de notificaciones de violencia. De estas víctimas, el 50,4% son de raza blanca, el 42,3% están casadas y el 17,2% tienen una discapacidad/trastorno. El 76,9% ocurrieron en el hogar, el 62,8% se debieron a violencia física y el 49,5% fueron violencia reincidente. La mayoría de los agresores son hombres (62%), y la violencia ejercida por dos o más agresores se observó en el 62,8%. El ACS evidenció desigualdades en el sexo de los adultos mayores, observándose una mayor incidencia entre las mujeres. La violencia física más común entre los adultos más jóvenes y mayores, es la negligencia/abandono entre los adultos más frágiles y mayores, cometida con mayor frecuencia por la hija. En resumen, el estudio evidenció la violencia basada en el sexo, especialmente entre adultos mayores, y la fragilidad como característica esencial para la ocurrencia de negligencia/abandono en adultos mayores. En este contexto, son necesarias políticas que reduzcan las desigualdades, especialmente las de sexo, e implementen una red de atención a los adultos mayores víctimas de violencia.

Validation of physician certified verbal autopsy using conventional autopsy: a large study of adult non-external causes of death in a metropolitan area in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Reliable mortality data are essential for the development of public health policies. In Brazil, although there is a well-consolidated universal system for mortality data, the quality of information on causes of death (CoD) is not even among Brazilian regions, with a high proportion of ill-defined CoD. Verbal autopsy (VA) is an alternative to improve mortality data. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an adapted and reduced version of VA in identifying the underlying causes of non-forensic deaths, in São Paulo, Brazil. This is the first time that a version of the questionnaire has been validated considering the autopsy as the gold standard. METHODS: The performance of a physician-certified verbal autopsy (PCVA) was evaluated considering conventional autopsy (macroscopy plus microscopy) as gold standard, based on a sample of 2060 decedents that were sent to the Post-Mortem Verification Service (SVOC-USP). All CoD, from the underlying to the immediate, were listed by both parties, and ICD-10 attributed by a senior coder. For each cause, sensitivity and chance corrected concordance (CCC) were computed considering first the underlying causes attributed by the pathologist and PCVA, and then any CoD listed in the death certificate given by PCVA. Cause specific mortality fraction accuracy (CSMF-accuracy) and chance corrected CSMF-accuracy were computed to evaluate the PCVA performance at the populational level. RESULTS: There was substantial variability of the sensitivities and CCC across the causes. Well-known chronic diseases with accurate diagnoses that had been informed by physicians to family members, such as various cancers, had sensitivities above 40% or 50%. However, PCVA was not effective in attributing Pneumonia, Cardiomyopathy and Leukemia/Lymphoma as underlying CoD. At populational level, the PCVA estimated cause specific mortality fractions (CSMF) may be considered close to the fractions pointed by the gold standard. The CSMF-accuracy was 0.81 and the chance corrected CSMF-accuracy was 0.49. CONCLUSIONS: The PCVA was efficient in attributing some causes individually and proved effective in estimating the CSMF, which indicates that the method is useful to establish public health priorities.

Prevalência de violência sexual em escolares no Brasil: dados da pesquisa nacional de saúde do escolar 2019 / Prevalencia de la violencia sexual en estudiantes en Brasil: datos de la encuesta nacional de salud escolar 2019 / Prevalence of sexual violence among schoolchildren in Brazil: data from the 2019 national school health

RESUMO Objetivo: analisar a prevalência de violência sexual entre escolares adolescentes de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil. Métodos: estudo transversal com dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar de 2019. Foram analisadas as prevalências de abuso sexual e estupro e seus respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) envolvendo escolares de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil, de acordo com sexo, faixa etária, tipo de instituição, agressor, região admisnistrativa de residência e unidades federadas. Resultados: a prevalência de abuso sexual entre escolares foi de 14,6% (IC95%:14,2;15,1) e de estupro foi de 6,3% (IC95%:6,0;6,6). Maiores prevalências ocorreram entre adolescentes do sexo feminino e da faixa etária de 16 e 17 anos. O agressor mais comum para ambos indicadores foi namorado(a), ex-namorado(a), ficante ou crush. Entre os escolares que sofreram estupro, mais da metade relatou ter sofrido essa violência antes dos 13 anos de idade (53,2%; IC95%: 51,0;55,4). Conclusão: a violência sexual tem elevada prevalência entre os escolares de 13 a 17 anos no Brasil, além de as agressões serem perpetradas, em sua maior parte, por pessoas do núcleo familiar e das relações íntimas e de afeto. É necessário que haja articulação intersetorial para desenvolver políticas públicas que atuem no enfrentamento ao problema.

RESUMEN Objetivo: analizar la prevalencia de la violencia sexual entre los estudiantes adolescentes de 13 a 17 años en Brasil. Métodos: estudio transversal con datos de la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Escolar 2019. Se analizó la prevalencia de abuso sexual y violación y sus respectivos intervalos de confianza del 95% (IC95%) que involucran a estudiantes de 13 a 17 años en Brasil, según sexo, grupo de edad, tipo de institución, agresor, región administrativa de residencia y unidades federadas. Resultados: la prevalencia de los abusos sexuales entre los estudiantes fue del 14,6% (IC95%:14,2;15,1) y de la violación fue del 6,3% (IC95%:6,0;6,6). La mayor prevalencia se dio entre las adolescentes mujeres y en el grupo de edad de 16 y 17 años. El agresor más común para ambos indicadores fue el novio/novia, ex novio, amante o enamorado. Entre los estudiantes que sufrieron una violación, más de la mitad declaró haber sufrido esta violencia antes de los 13 años (53,2%; IC95%: 51,0;55,4). Conclusión: la violencia sexual tiene una alta prevalencia entre los escolares de 13 a 17 años en Brasil, además de que las agresiones son perpetradas principalmente por personas del núcleo familiar y de las relaciones íntimas y afectivas. Es necesario que haya una articulación intersectorial para desarrollar políticas públicas que actúen para enfrentar el problema.

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the prevalence of sexual violence among schoolchildren aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil. Methods: a cross-sectional study conducted with data from the 2019 National School Health Survey. The prevalence values for sexual abuse and rape and their respective 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) involving students aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil were analyzed according to gender, age group, type of institution, aggressor, administrative region of residence and federated units. Results: the prevalence of sexual abuse among schoolchildren was 14.6% (95% CI: 14.2; 15.1) and the one for rape was 6.3% (95% CI: 6.0; 6.6). Higher prevalence values were found among female adolescents an in the age group of 16 and 17 years old. The most common aggressor for both indicators was boyfriend/girlfriend, ex-boyfriend, date or crush. Among the schoolchildren who were victims of rape, more than half reported having suffered this type of violence before 13 years of age (53.2%; 95% CI: 51.0; 55.4). Conclusion: sexual violence has high prevalence among schoolchildren aged from 13 to 17 years old in Brazil, in addition to the aggressions being mostly perpetrated by people from the family nucleus and by individuals with intimate and affection ties. Intersectoral articulation is necessary to develop public policies that act on coping with the problem.

Cardiovascular Mortality During the COVID-19 Pandemics in a Large Brazilian City: A Comprehensive Analysis.

Introduction: The impact of COVID-19 pandemics on cardiovascular diseases (CVD) may be caused by health system reorganization and/or collapse, or from changes in the behaviour of individuals. In Brazil, municipalities were empowered to define regulatory measures, potentially resulting in diverse effects on CVD morbimortality. Objective: To analyse the impact of COVID-19 pandemics on CVD outcomes in Belo Horizonte (BH), the sixth greater capital city in Brazil, including: mortality, mortality at home, hospitalizations, intensive care unit utilization, and in-hospital mortality; and the differential effect according to sex, age range, social vulnerability, and pandemic's phase. Methods: Ecological study analysing data from the Mortality and Hospital Information System of BH residents aged ≥30 years. CVD was defined as in Chapter IX from ICD-10. Social vulnerability was classified by a composite socioeconomic index as high, medium and low. The observed age-standardized rates for epidemiological weeks 10-48, 2020, were compared to the expected rates (mean of 2015-2019). Risk ratios (RiR) were analysed and 95% confidence intervals were calculated for all estimates. Population projected to 2020 for BH and its census tracts were used to calculate rates. Results: We found no changes in CVD mortality rates (RiR 1.01, 95%CI 0.96-1.06). However, CVD deaths occurred more at homes (RiR 1.32, 95%CI 1.20-1.46) than in hospitals (RiR 0.89, 95%CI 0.79-0.99), as a result of a substantial decline in hospitalization rates, even though proportional in-hospital deaths increased. The rise in home deaths was greater in older adults and in had an increasing gradient in those more socially vulnerable (RiR 1.45); for high (RiR 1.45), medium (RiR 1.32) and low vulnerability (RiR 1.21). Conclusion: The greater occurrence of CVD deaths at home, in parallel with lower hospitalization rates, suggests that CVD care was disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemics, which more adversely affected older and more socially vulnerable individuals, exacerbating health inequities in BH.

Maternal Mortality in Brazil, 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Maternal death continues to be one of the most challenging public health problems that needs to be addressed in low and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to describe the problem of maternal death in Brazil, using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). METHODS: This study used data from the GBD 2019 to show the numbers of deaths and the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) - number of deaths/100,000 live births - in Brazil and its 27 Federated Units (FU), for ages 10 to 54 years, from 1990 to 2019. The annual variation of the MMR was estimated in 1990, 2010, and 2019. The MMR were shown for specific causes as well as for five-year age groups. The estimates were presented with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI). RESULTS: The number of maternal deaths, as well as the MMR showed a 49% reduction from 1990 to 2019. This reduction occurred heterogeneously throughout the country, and the profile of the MMR for specific causes changed between 1990 and 2019: from hypertensive gestation diseases, to indirect maternal deaths, followed by hypertensive gestation diseases. In the extreme age groups, the MMR is higher, with mortality increasing exponentially in direct proportion with age. CONCLUSIONS: Maternal deaths in Brazil have decreased substantially since 1990; however, the numbers still fall short of what was established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Indirect causes are the greatest problem in more than 60% of the FU, especially for hypertensive pregnancy diseases.

Validation of SmartVA using conventional autopsy: A study of adult deaths in Brazil.

Background: Accurate cause of death data are essential to guide health policy. However, mortality surveillance is limited in many low-income countries. In such settings, verbal autopsy (VA) is increasingly used to provide population-level cause of death data. VAs are now widely interpreted using the automated algorithms SmartVA and InterVA. Here we use conventional autopsy as the gold standard to validate SmartVA methodology. Methods: This study included adult deaths from natural causes in São Paulo and Recife for which conventional autopsy was indicated. VA was conducted with a relative of the deceased using an amended version of the SmartVA instrument to suit the local context. Causes of death from VA were produced using the SmartVA-Analyze program. Physician coded verbal autopsy (PCVA), conducted on the same questionnaires, and Global Burden of Disease Study data were used as additional comparators. Cause of death data were grouped into 10 broad causes for the validation due to the real-world utility of VA lying in identifying broad population cause of death patterns. Findings: The study included 2,060 deaths in São Paulo and 1,079 in Recife. The cause specific mortality fractions (CSMFs) estimated using SmartVA were broadly similar to conventional autopsy for: cardiovascular diseases (46.8% vs 54.0%, respectively), cancers (10.6% vs 11.4%), infections (7.0% vs 10.4%) and chronic respiratory disease (4.1% vs 3.7%), causes accounting for 76.1% of the autopsy dataset. The SmartVA CSMF estimates were lower than autopsy for "Other NCDs" (7.8% vs 14.6%) and higher for diabetes (13.0% vs 6.6%). CSMF accuracy of SmartVA compared to autopsy was 84.5%. CSMF accuracy for PCVA was 93.0%. Interpretation: The results suggest that SmartVA can, with reasonable accuracy, predict the broad cause of death groups important to assess a population's epidemiological transition. VA remains a useful tool for understanding causes of death where medical certification is not possible.

Maternal Mortality in Brazil, 1990 to 2019: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Abstract INTRODUCTION Maternal death continues to be one of the most challenging public health problems that needs to be addressed in low and middle-income countries. The objective of this study was to describe the problem of maternal death in Brazil, using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD). METHODS This study used data from the GBD 2019 to show the numbers of deaths and the Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) - number of deaths/100,000 live births - in Brazil and its 27 Federated Units (FU), for ages 10 to 54 years, from 1990 to 2019. The annual variation of the MMR was estimated in 1990, 2010, and 2019. The MMR were shown for specific causes as well as for five-year age groups. The estimates were presented with 95% uncertainty intervals (UI). RESULTS The number of maternal deaths, as well as the MMR showed a 49% reduction from 1990 to 2019. This reduction occurred heterogeneously throughout the country, and the profile of the MMR for specific causes changed between 1990 and 2019: from hypertensive gestation diseases, to indirect maternal deaths, followed by hypertensive gestation diseases. In the extreme age groups, the MMR is higher, with mortality increasing exponentially in direct proportion with age. CONCLUSIONS Maternal deaths in Brazil have decreased substantially since 1990; however, the numbers still fall short of what was established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Indirect causes are the greatest problem in more than 60% of the FU, especially for hypertensive pregnancy diseases.

Higher mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in socially vulnerable areas in Belo Horizonte: implications for vaccine prioritization. / Maior mortalidade durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em áreas socialmente vulneráveis em Belo Horizonte: implicações para a priorização da vacinação.

OBJECTIVE: To assess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic according to social vulnerability by areas of Belo Horizonte (BH), aiming at strategies for vaccination. METHODS: Ecological study with mortality analysis according to census tracts classified by the Health Vulnerability Index, a composite indicator that includes socioeconomic and sanitation variables. Deaths by natural causes and by COVID-19 were obtained from the "Mortality Information System", between the 10th and 43rd epidemiological weeks (EW) of 2020. Excess mortality was calculated in a time series model, considering observed and expected deaths per EW, between 2015 and 2019, per census tracts. Mortality rates (MR) were calculated and age-standardized using population estimates from the 2010 census, by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). RESULTS: Excess mortality in BH was 16.1% (n = 1,524): 11, 18.8 and 17.3% in low, intermediate and high vulnerability areas, respectively. The differences between observed and expected age-standardized MR by natural causes were equal to 59/100,000 inhabitants in BH, increasing from 31 to 77 and 95/100,000 inhabitants in the areas of low, intermediate and high vulnerability, respectively. There was an aging gradient in MR by COVID-19, ranging from 4 to 611/100,000 inhabitants among individuals aged 20-39 years and 75+ years. The COVID-19 MR per 100,000 older adults (60+ years) was 292 in BH, increasing from 179 to 354 and 476, in low, intermediate and high vulnerability areas, respectively. CONCLUSION: Inequalities in mortality, particularly among older adults, combined with the limited supply of doses, demonstrate the importance of prioritizing socially vulnerable areas during vaccination against COVID-19.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a mortalidade por áreas de Belo Horizonte (BH) durante a pandemia de COVID-19 conforme a vulnerabilidade social, visando a uma estratégia de vacinação. MÉTODOS: Estudo ecológico com análise de mortalidade, segundo setores censitários classificados pelo índice de vulnerabilidade da saúde, composto de indicadores de saneamento e socioeconômicos. Óbitos por causas naturais e COVID-19 foram obtidos do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade, entre a 10ª e a 43ª semanas epidemiológicas (SE) de 2020. Calculou-se o excesso de mortalidade por modelo de série temporal, considerando-se as mortes observadas por SE entre 2015 e 2019, por setor censitário. Taxas de mortalidade (TM) foram calculadas e padronizadas por idade com base em estimativas populacionais do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). RESULTADOS: Houve 16,1% (n = 1.524) de excesso de mortalidade em BH: 11, 18,8 e 17,3% nas áreas de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. As diferenças entre TM observadas e esperadas por causas naturais, padronizadas por idade, foi igual a 59/100 mil habitantes em BH, aumentando de 31 para 77 e 95/100 mil, nas áreas de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. Houve gradiente de aumento com a idade nas TM por COVID-19, variando de 4 a 611/100 mil habitantes entre as idades de 20-39 anos e 75+ anos. A TM por COVID-19 por 100 mil idosos (60+ anos) foi igual a 292, aumentando de 179 para 354 e 476 nos setores de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: Desigualdades na mortalidade, mesmo entre idosos, aliadas à baixa oferta de doses, demonstram a importância de priorizar áreas socialmente vulneráveis durante a vacinação contra COVID-19.

Factors associated with death in women with intimate partner violence notification in Brazil. / Fatores associados ao óbito de mulheres com notificação de violência por parceiro íntimo no Brasil.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a social and public health concern. This article aims to identify factors associated with death in women with IPV notification. This is a case-control study based on the record-linkage of the Mortality Information System (SIM), from 2011 to September/2017, and the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), 2011 to 2016. The "case" group consisted of women aged 15 to 59 years old with notification of violence on SINAN, whose author was current or former intimate partner and died by any cause registered on SIM. The "control" group consisted of women 15-59 years old, living in the same municipality of the cases and victim of IPV registered on SINAN, but without a death record on SIM. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of death. 151,826 Brazilian women were victim of IPV and were notified by SINAN, and 2,538 died. The main cause of death was homicide. The following characteristics conferred a greater chance of death: having race/skin-color black or yellow; having disabilities; living in rural area; physical violence, torture and multiple types combined; violence perpetrated by a firearm, a sharp object and multiple means combined.

A violência por parceiro íntimo (VPI) é um problema social e de saúde pública. O objetivo deste artigo é identificar fatores associados ao óbito em mulheres com notificação de VPI. Estudo do tipo caso-controle a partir do relacionamento das bases de dados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM), 2011 a setembro/2017, e do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), 2011 a 2016. O grupo "caso" foi composto por mulheres de 15 a 59 anos com notificação de violência no SINAN, cujo autor era atual ou ex-parceiro íntimo e óbito por qualquer causa básica registrado no SIM. O grupo "controle" consistiu em mulheres da mesma faixa etária, com VPI registrada no SINAN e município de residência dos casos, mas sem registro de óbito no SIM. Foi utilizada a regressão logística a fim de estimar a razão de chance de óbito. 151.826 brasileiras tiveram seus casos de VPI notificados, sendo que 2.538 morreram. A principal causa de óbito foi o homicídio. As seguintes características conferiram maior chance de óbito: raça/cor preta e amarela; ter deficiências; residir em área rural; violência física, tortura e múltiplos tipos combinados; violência perpetrada por arma de fogo, objeto perfurocortante e múltiplos meios combinados.

Fatores associados ao óbito de mulheres com notificação de violência por parceiro íntimo no Brasil / Factors associated with death in women with intimate partner violence notification in Brazil

Resumo A violência por parceiro íntimo (VPI) é um problema social e de saúde pública. O objetivo deste artigo é identificar fatores associados ao óbito em mulheres com notificação de VPI. Estudo do tipo caso-controle a partir do relacionamento das bases de dados do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade (SIM), 2011 a setembro/2017, e do Sistema de Informação de Agravos de Notificação (SINAN), 2011 a 2016. O grupo "caso" foi composto por mulheres de 15 a 59 anos com notificação de violência no SINAN, cujo autor era atual ou ex-parceiro íntimo e óbito por qualquer causa básica registrado no SIM. O grupo "controle" consistiu em mulheres da mesma faixa etária, com VPI registrada no SINAN e município de residência dos casos, mas sem registro de óbito no SIM. Foi utilizada a regressão logística a fim de estimar a razão de chance de óbito. 151.826 brasileiras tiveram seus casos de VPI notificados, sendo que 2.538 morreram. A principal causa de óbito foi o homicídio. As seguintes características conferiram maior chance de óbito: raça/cor preta e amarela; ter deficiências; residir em área rural; violência física, tortura e múltiplos tipos combinados; violência perpetrada por arma de fogo, objeto perfurocortante e múltiplos meios combinados.

Abstract Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a social and public health concern. This article aims to identify factors associated with death in women with IPV notification. This is a case-control study based on the record-linkage of the Mortality Information System (SIM), from 2011 to September/2017, and the Notifiable Diseases Information System (SINAN), 2011 to 2016. The "case" group consisted of women aged 15 to 59 years old with notification of violence on SINAN, whose author was current or former intimate partner and died by any cause registered on SIM. The "control" group consisted of women 15-59 years old, living in the same municipality of the cases and victim of IPV registered on SINAN, but without a death record on SIM. Multiple logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio of death. 151,826 Brazilian women were victim of IPV and were notified by SINAN, and 2,538 died. The main cause of death was homicide. The following characteristics conferred a greater chance of death: having race/skin-color black or yellow; having disabilities; living in rural area; physical violence, torture and multiple types combined; violence perpetrated by a firearm, a sharp object and multiple means combined.

Maior mortalidade durante a pandemia de COVID-19 em áreas socialmente vulneráveis em Belo Horizonte: implicações para a priorização da vacinação / Higher mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic in socially vulnerable areas in Belo Horizonte: implications for vaccine prioritization

RESUMO: Objetivo: Avaliar a mortalidade por áreas de Belo Horizonte (BH) durante a pandemia de COVID-19 conforme a vulnerabilidade social, visando a uma estratégia de vacinação. Métodos: Estudo ecológico com análise de mortalidade, segundo setores censitários classificados pelo índice de vulnerabilidade da saúde, composto de indicadores de saneamento e socioeconômicos. Óbitos por causas naturais e COVID-19 foram obtidos do Sistema de Informação sobre Mortalidade, entre a 10ª e a 43ª semanas epidemiológicas (SE) de 2020. Calculou-se o excesso de mortalidade por modelo de série temporal, considerando-se as mortes observadas por SE entre 2015 e 2019, por setor censitário. Taxas de mortalidade (TM) foram calculadas e padronizadas por idade com base em estimativas populacionais do Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (IBGE). Resultados: Houve 16,1% (n = 1.524) de excesso de mortalidade em BH: 11, 18,8 e 17,3% nas áreas de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. As diferenças entre TM observadas e esperadas por causas naturais, padronizadas por idade, foi igual a 59/100 mil habitantes em BH, aumentando de 31 para 77 e 95/100 mil, nas áreas de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. Houve gradiente de aumento com a idade nas TM por COVID-19, variando de 4 a 611/100 mil habitantes entre as idades de 20-39 anos e 75+ anos. A TM por COVID-19 por 100 mil idosos (60+ anos) foi igual a 292, aumentando de 179 para 354 e 476 nos setores de baixa, média e elevada vulnerabilidade, respectivamente. Conclusão: Desigualdades na mortalidade, mesmo entre idosos, aliadas à baixa oferta de doses, demonstram a importância de priorizar áreas socialmente vulneráveis durante a vacinação contra COVID-19.

ABSTRACT: Objective: To assess mortality during the COVID-19 pandemic according to social vulnerability by areas of Belo Horizonte (BH), aiming at strategies for vaccination. Methods: Ecological study with mortality analysis according to census tracts classified by the Health Vulnerability Index, a composite indicator that includes socioeconomic and sanitation variables. Deaths by natural causes and by COVID-19 were obtained from the "Mortality Information System", between the 10th and 43rd epidemiological weeks (EW) of 2020. Excess mortality was calculated in a time series model, considering observed and expected deaths per EW, between 2015 and 2019, per census tracts. Mortality rates (MR) were calculated and age-standardized using population estimates from the 2010 census, by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). Results: Excess mortality in BH was 16.1% (n = 1,524): 11, 18.8 and 17.3% in low, intermediate and high vulnerability areas, respectively. The differences between observed and expected age-standardized MR by natural causes were equal to 59/100,000 inhabitants in BH, increasing from 31 to 77 and 95/100,000 inhabitants in the areas of low, intermediate and high vulnerability, respectively. There was an aging gradient in MR by COVID-19, ranging from 4 to 611/100,000 inhabitants among individuals aged 20-39 years and 75+ years. The COVID-19 MR per 100,000 older adults (60+ years) was 292 in BH, increasing from 179 to 354 and 476, in low, intermediate and high vulnerability areas, respectively. Conclusion: Inequalities in mortality, particularly among older adults, combined with the limited supply of doses, demonstrate the importance of prioritizing socially vulnerable areas during vaccination against COVID-19.

Association between firearms and mortality in Brazil, 1990 to 2017: a global burden of disease Brazil study.

BACKGROUND: Brazil leads the world in number of firearm deaths and ranks sixth by country in rate of firearm deaths per 100,000 people. This study aims to analyze trends in and burden of mortality by firearms, according to age and sex, for Brazil, and the association between these deaths and indicators of possession and carrying of weapons using data from the global burden of diseases, injuries, and risk factors study (GBD) 2017. METHODS: We used GBD 2017 estimates of mortality due to physical violence and self-harm from firearms for Brazil to analyze the association between deaths by firearms and explanatory variables. RESULTS: Deaths from firearms increased in Brazil from 25,819 in 1990 to 48,493 in 2017. Firearm mortality rates were higher among men and in the 20-24 age group; the rate was 20 times higher than for women in the same age group. Homicide rates increased during the study period, while mortality rates for suicides and accidental deaths decreased. The group of Brazilian federation units with the highest firearm collection rate (median = 7.5) showed reductions in the rate of total violent deaths by firearms. In contrast, the group with the lowest firearm collection rate (median = 2.0) showed an increase in firearm deaths from 2000 to 2017. An increase in the rate of voluntary return of firearms was associated with a reduction in mortality rates of unintentional firearm deaths (r = -0.364, p < 0.001). An increase in socio-demographic index (SDI) was associated with a reduction in all firearm death rates (r = -0.266, p = 0.008). An increase in the composite index of firearms seized or collected was associated with a reduction in rates of deaths by firearm in the subgroup of females, children, and the elderly (r = -0.269, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: There was a change in the trend of firearms deaths after the beginning of the collection of weapons in 2004. Federation units that collected more guns have reduced rates of violent firearm deaths.