Cost and duration of hospitalizations due to puerperal mastitis in the Brazilian Unified Health System

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to analyze hospitalizations due to puerperal mastitis in the Brazilian Unified Health System
(SUS) from 2018 to 2022. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the Hospital Information System
(SIH/DATASUS). All hospitalizations with a primary diagnosis of postpartum breast infection in women aged 15–49 years
were analyzed. Length of stay was measured in days, and costs in Brazilian reais were adjusted using the IPCA inflation
index. Trends in length of stay and costs from 2018 to 2022 were assessed using Poisson regression. Results: A total of
11,279 hospitalizations were analyzed. The average length of stay was 5.09 days for clinical treatment and 4.50 days for surgical treatment. From 2018 to 2022, the surgical treatment rate increased (50.8% to 54.2%; p<0.05). The Southeast, South,
and Central-West regions showed a decline in hospitalization duration. Daily costs ranged from BRL 67.13 to BRL 154.55,
totaling BRL 1,140,016.00 over five years, with higher costs for surgical treatment (BRL 123.71 vs. BRL 77.61 for clinical
treatment). Costs rose nationwide from 2018 to 2021 (p<0.05), particularly in the South and Central-West, but declined in
2022. Conclusion: Clinical treatment is less costly than surgical treatment but increases hospitalization duration. The high
costs of hospital care for puerperal breast infections highlight the need for effective prevention and management strategies.