Diseases of the digestive system are among the three that cause the most hospitalizations in Bahia.

Bahia is among the three Brazilian states with the highest percentage of hospitalizations for diseases of the digestive system, according to data from the Ministry of Health. They are responsible for 40 deaths for every 100 thousand inhabitants in Bahia and are present in 40% of 417 municipalities. Colorectal neoplasms of the stomach and esophagus are among the 3rd and 4th causes of mortality in women and men in the State.

The numbers were discussed during Gastro Bahia 2024, which took place in parallel with the III North-Northeast Pancreas Symposium, at the Mercure Hotel, in the Rio Vermelho neighborhood, in Salvador. The event ended this Saturday (27), at noon.
A reference on the subject, gastroenterologist Jorge Guedes spoke about the importance of early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, replacement of pancreatic enzymes, factors that affect the organ such as diabetes, obesity, among others. As for pancreatic cancer, which “causes fear in people”, he highlighted that when detected early “it allows for an excellent prognosis”.

Until Saturday, topics such as diseases of the digestive system will be covered, which occupy the 3rd and 4th place in the percentage of hospitalizations in women and men in Bahia. According to information from the Society of Gastroenterology in the State, infectious pathologies such as viral hepatitis B and C in the epidemiological scenario occur in the majority of the 417 municipalities in Bahia.

Fatty liver disease is on the rise, becoming a cause of liver cancer and the main indications for liver transplantation.

Care – The occurrence of digestive tract diseases draws attention to the need for actions aimed at reducing mortality. “In addition to training medical professionals for early diagnosis and treatment of illnesses, it is necessary to implement prevention and health promotion measures. Among which, educational campaigns stand out regarding the excessive and/or indiscriminate use of anti-inflammatories and teas, colorectal cancer screening tests, combating excess weight, alcohol and smoking, encouraging lifestyle changes, such as increasing the practice of physical activity and improving the quality of diet with greater consumption of fruits and vegetables, and less consumption of red meat, sausages and canned goods”, adds Lourianne Cavalcante, president of the Society of Gastroenterology in Bahia.

According to her, these measures should have a positive impact, by reducing morbidity and mortality from initially benign and indolent diseases, such as non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease, to potentially serious and fatal diseases, such as acute pancreatitis and various types of cancer of the digestive system.

National data – According to the latest Epidemiological Bulletin from the Ministry of Health, published in September 2020, digestive diseases killed more than 156 thousand people in Brazil, which is equivalent to 11.9% of all deaths that occurred in 2018.

Problems with the digestive system affect men more (57.7%). In terms of race/color, white people represent 53% and brown people 38%. More than half of deaths (55.0%) from these diseases affect people under 70 years of age.

In relation to sex, according to the Epidemiological Bulletin, men have higher mortality from digestive diseases, which is possibly associated with eating habits and greater alcohol consumption, which, in Brazil, begins in adolescence.

With the support of the Brazilian Society of Digestive Endoscopy (SOBED) and the Brazilian Federation of Gastroenterology (FBG), Gastro Bahia 2024 has a broad program, covering the most relevant topics in the area.