Hospitalizations for Cellulitis and Skin Abscesses in Brazil: Ecological Analysis From 2010 to 2024

Skin and soft tissue infections such as cellulitis and cutaneous abscesses are common in clinical practice, often related to skin barrier disruptions and worsened by comorbidities such as diabetes and poor circulation. While most cases are managed outpatient, more severe cases require hospitalization, especially among older adults and immunocompromised patients. This study aimed to understand the behavior of these hospitalizations over 14 years in Brazil using SIH/SUS data. Ecological study based on secondary data from the SUS Hospital Information System (SIH/SUS), accessed through DATASUS. Hospitalizations from 2010 to March 2024 with primary diagnosis of cellulitis (ICD-10: L03) or cutaneous abscess (ICD-10: L02) were included. Variables analyzed included absolute number of admissions, mean length of stay, in-hospital mortality rate, and regional distribution. Data were grouped by year and age group (0–19, 20–59, ≥60 years). A total of 289,624 hospitalizations for cellulitis and skin abscesses were recorded between 2010 and 2024. Annual numbers ranged from 18,200 to 21,100 cases. The mean hospital stay was 4.9 days, with longer stays at the extremes of age. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 0.8%, reaching 1.6% among older adults. The Southeast region accounted for 42% of hospitalizations, followed by the Northeast (26%). A slight decline in admissions was observed after 2020, coinciding with increased outpatient therapies and reorganization of care flows during the pandemic. The results show that skin infections remain relevant causes of hospitalization, particularly among older adults, who have longer hospital stays and higher mortality. The reduction after 2020 may be related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which likely impacted healthcare access and reporting. The concentration of admissions in more populous regions suggests overload of health services. In this context, cellulitis and skin abscesses remain a challenge for the SUS, especially among older adults and in areas with limited access to primary care. Investments in prevention, early diagnosis, and outpatient treatment are essential to prevent complications and reduce hospitalizations.