CEREBROVASCULAR DISEASE MORTALITY IN BRAZIL: TEMPORAL TRENDS, CHANGES IN THE DIAGNOSTIC PROFILE, AND SOCIODEMOGRAPHIC INEQUALITIES, 2010–2024

Abstract

Objective: To analyze temporal trends in cerebrovascular disease mortality in Brazil, considering changes in the diagnostic profile, sociodemographic characteristics, place of death, and regional distribution from 2010 to 2024. Methods: This was a nationwide ecological time-series study using data from the Mortality Information System (SIM/DATASUS). Deaths classified under codes I60 to I69 of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision (ICD-10), were included. Records with unknown sex were proportionally redistributed. Data were grouped into three five-year periods and analyzed by diagnostic category, sex, age group, race/skin color, education, marital status, place of death, and macro-region, using absolute and relative frequencies and sex ratio. Results: A total of 1,526,062 deaths from cerebrovascular diseases were recorded, with a 4.1% increase between the first and last five-year periods. Unspecified stroke (I64) remained the leading cause, although its share declined from 43.0% to 33.5%. Conversely, cerebral infarction (I63) increased from 4.2% to 11.4%, and sequelae of cerebrovascular diseases (I69) from 16.5% to 18.6%, suggesting improved diagnostic specification. Mortality was concentrated among individuals aged 60 years or older, with a slight male predominance, proportional growth among Black and Brown populations, relative increase in the North Region, and hospital predominance. Conclusion: Mortality remains high and unequal, requiring cardiovascular prevention, improved stroke care pathways, rehabilitation, and reduction of regional inequities.