title: Chagas disease in the State of Pernambuco, Brazil: analysis of admissions and mortality time series.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A time series study of admissions, deaths and acute cases was conducted in order to evaluate the context of Chagas disease in Pernambuco.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data reported to the Information Technology Department of the Brazilian National Health Service between 1980 and 2008 was collected for regions and Federal Units of Brazil; and microregions and municipalities of Pernambuco. Rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) of hospitalization, mortality and acute cases were calculated using a national hospital database (SIH), a national mortality database (SIM) and the national Information System for Notifiable Diseases (SINAN), respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The national average for Chagas disease admissions was 0.99 from 1995 to 2008. Pernambuco obtained a mean of 0.39 in the same period, with the highest rates being concentrated in the interior of the state. The state obtained a mean mortality rate of 1.56 between 1980 and 2007, which was lower than the national average (3.66). The mortality rate has tended to decline nationally, while it has remained relatively unchanged in Pernambuco. Interpolating national rates of admissions and deaths, mortality rates were higher than hospitalization rates between 1995 and 2007. The same occurred in Pernambuco, except for 2003. Between 2001 and 2006, rates for acute cases were 0.56 and 0.21 for Brazil and Pernambuco, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although a decrease in Chagas mortality has occurred in Brazil, the disease remains a serious public health problem, especially in the Northeast region. It is thus essential that medical care, prevention and control regarding Chagas disease be maintained and improved.
authors: Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhães, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Recife, PE, Brasil.
authors: Suellen Carvalho de Moura
authors: SC
authors: Braz
authors: Myllena de Fátima Alheiros Dias
authors: Mde F
authors: Melo
authors: Virginia Maria Barros de
authors: VM
authors: Lorena
authors: Wayner Vieira de
authors: WV
authors: Souza
authors: Yara de Miranda
authors: Yde M
authors: Gomes
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000401:mortality*; D017052:Hospital Mortality / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007255:Information Services