Sepsis is a syndrome characterized by life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection. It is a global public health problem, with high mortality rates and a major impact on the healthcare system. This study aimed to analyze temporal trends in hospitalizations for septicemia in Brazil between 2018 and 2024. Cross-sectional, descriptive, quantitative study using secondary data from the Departamento de Informática do SUS (DATASUS) through the Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS). Hospitalizations for septicemia in Brazil between 2018 and 2024 were analyzed. Variables included number of hospitalizations, deaths, sex, age group and race/color. Data were organized in spreadsheets and analyzed using descriptive statistics, identifying temporal and regional variations and patient profiles. A total of 1,008,280 hospitalizations for septicemia were recorded in the period, with a 34.15% increase between 2018 and 2024. The years 2023 and 2024 accounted for 17.16% and 17.02% of hospitalizations, respectively. The Southeast region had the highest incidence (50.37%), especially São Paulo (24.21%), Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais. Males represented 52.04% of hospitalizations. Regarding race, pardo (mixed-race) individuals predominated (39.63%), followed by whites (38.66%). There were 454,790 deaths, with an increase from 57,607 to 76,475 annual deaths between 2018 and 2024. Overall case-fatality was 45.12%. Most deaths occurred in the Southeast (54.94%), with 53.37% in São Paulo, 22.56% in Minas Gerais and 21.49% in Rio de Janeiro. By age group, 29.95% of deaths occurred in individuals aged 80 years or older, 24.36% in those aged 70–79 years, 19.23% in those aged 60–69 years and 24.42% in those under 60 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a reduction in hospitalizations and deaths from septicemia in 2020–2021, with decreases of 10.73% and 8.63% compared with the pre-pandemic annual average. From 2022 onward, rates increased again. The study shows a significant increase in hospitalizations and deaths due to septicemia in Brazil, with concentration in the Southeast region and among older adults. The reduction observed during the pandemic suggests possible underreporting and changes in hospital flows. The high case-fatality reinforces the severity of the condition and the need for public policies focused on early diagnosis, clinical management and epidemiological surveillance.
Melo et al. (2026) studied this question.