Mortality of chronic-degenerative and infectious neurological disorders from 2009 to 2019: follow-up of epidemiological transition

Background: The epidemiological transition states that degenerative diseases are the main responsible for morbidity and mortality, assuming infectious diseases place. This trend can be explained by interaction between socio- environmental and demographic factors. Understand where Brazil is it’s important in the planning of cost-effective health policies and in reduction of morbidity and mortality. Objectives: Describe the number of deaths from infectious and degenerative neurological diseases between 2009 and 2019 in Brazil. Design and setting: This is an descriptive study considering brazilian deaths for neurological disorders. Methods: Using Ministry of Health database (DATASUS) from 2009 to 2019, mortality of following diseases were analyzed: Meningitis and Encephalitis, as infectous disorders; and Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s and Epilepsy as degenerative disorders. Data from Human Development Index (HDI) were taken from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). Proportions were calculated to simplify analysis and correlation between variables were verified using simple linear regression. Results: In the period, HDI increased by 6.4%, while mortality from infectious diseases decreased by 25% and from degenerative disordes grew 132%. Considering infectous disorders, Meningitis decreased by 33%, while Encephalitis increased 64%. In chronic-degenerative diseases, deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease increased by 158%, in Parkinson’s disease 90%, and 63% in Epilepsy. Correlation analysis using simple linear regression revealed a Pearson coefficient (r) of 0.924 and -0.967 for the relation between HDI and mortality from degenerative and infectious diseases, respectively. Conclusion: Brazil has followed the trend of epidemiological transition, with increase in mortality from chronic-degenerative diseases and reduction in infectious disorders.