Longitudinal analysis of hospital morbidity and mortality due to skin cancer from 2012 to 2022: comparison with demographic and geographic factors in Brazilian states

Background: Skin cancer is the most common neoplasm among Brazilians, accounting for 31.3% of all cancer cases in the country.

Objectives: To analyze the longitudinal morbimortality of skin cancer and compare it with the latitude and the prevalence of white skin color in each federative unit of the country.

Methods: An ecological observational study was carried out using data from the Hospital Information System (SIH) and the Mortality Information System (SIM).

Results: In Brazil, morbidity rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) increased from 14.88 to 27.69 (p < 0.05) when comparing the years 2012 and 2022, whereas the mortality rates (per 100,000 inhabitants) increased from 0.35 to 0.54 (p < 0.05) during the same period. Furthermore, most states showed an increase in morbimortality rates. Concerning race/ethnicity, individuals with white skin had the highest morbimortality rates. Regarding the age groups, individuals over 50 years old had the highest morbidity rates, while patients over 80 years old had the highest mortality rates, at 23.29%. Finally, the latitude showed a negative correlation, meaning that lower latitudes presented higher rates of morbidity and mortality from skin cancer.

Study limitations: Self-reporting of skin color by participants, which may not fully correspond to phototypes. Data was analyzed exclusively from hospitalizations through the Unified Health System (SUS) and severe cases of the disease, as this study focused on hospitalizations and mortality, considering that the main treatment for skin cancer is carried out on an outpatient basis.

Conclusions: The majority of Brazilian states showed rising morbimortality rates during the period, with the white-skinned population being the most affected. Additionally, a negative correlation with latitude was observed.