Decrease in alcohol use disorder hospitalizations in Brazil: what does it mean?

Objective: To analyze the trend of hospitalizations for alcohol use disorder (AUD) in Brazil, by region, and establish its relationship with mental health care facilities.

Methods: Data were collected through the Brazilian Unified Health System's (SIH/SUS) Hospital Information System (Sistema de Informação Hospitalar) and the National Register of Health Establishments of Brazil (Cadastro Nacional de Estabelecimentos de Saúde [CNES]). We used linear regression models to estimate the effect of SUS psychiatric beds and Center for Psychosocial Care (Centro de Atenção Psicossocial [CAPS]) numbers on AUD hospitalizations.

Results: From 2015 to 2020, 298,735 hospitalizations for AUD were recorded. Most of the patients admitted for AUD were male (88.8%). Individuals aged 60 years and older accounted for 11.7% of our cohort. The highest concentration of hospitalizations occurred in the South region (40.1%). The rate of hospitalizations per hospital bed remained relatively constant. The number of CAPS has a negative effect on SUS psychiatric beds in Brazil (average effect -22.31 [95% confidence interval {95%CI} -26.92, -17.70]). Psychiatric beds have a positive effect on AUD hospitalizations in the country (average effect 1.82 [95%CI 0.91, 2.74]).

Conclusions: Prioritization guidelines for other forms of care are associated with a decrease in hospitalizations for AUD, so we highlight the importance of adequate training of health care professionals for proper referral of these patients to hospital admission when necessary.