Trends in hospitalizations for Alzheimer’s disease in the Brazilian unified health system, 2016–2025: age group analysis and evidence of early-onset cases

Introduction:

Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia, affecting memory, thinking, and behavior. It represents a public health challenge worldwide, and Brazil is no exception. Understanding hospitalization patterns for Alzheimer's is essential to identify at-risk populations and guide healthcare planning. This study analyzed DataSUS records, Brazil’s public health database, over the past 10 years to provide insights into the epidemiology and inform strategies for early-onset cases.

Methods:

A descriptive analysis of hospitalizations for Alzheimer’s disease (ICD-10 G30) recorded in the SIH/SUS between 2016 and 2025 was conducted. Data were obtained from TABNET/DATASUS and categorized by age groups, which were subsequently regrouped into five strata (<50, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79, and ≥80 years).

Results and discussion:

From 2016 to 2025, 15,198 hospitalizations for Alzheimer’s disease (ICD-10 G30) were recorded in SIH/SUS, mostly in individuals aged ≥80 years (59.3%), followed by those aged 70–79 (28.1%) and those aged 60–69 (9.4%). Hospitalizations in those <60 years old were rare (<2%), though they were present across all ages. Cases rose until 2019, dropped during 2020–2021 with the COVID-19 pandemic, peaked in 2023 (n=2,125), and declined in 2025, likely due to reporting delays. The proportion <65 years ranged from 2 to 6%, without a clear increase.

Findings confirm the predominance in older adults and the health system burden of advanced age groups, while the persistent, though infrequent, cases in those aged <65 highlight the need for awareness and tailored strategies for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.

Conclusions sections:

The analysis of DataSUS records confirms the predominance of hospitalizations for Alzheimer’s among older adults, particularly those aged 80 years and above. These findings underscore the need for public awareness of early symptoms and appropriate patient care, as well as early diagnosis and targeted health strategies to address the challenges associated with the disease.