Analysis of hospitalizations due to psychoactive substance use and associated epidemiological factors at the Hospital Espírita de Pelotas in 2024

Abstract

Objective: The use of psychoactive substances is a growing public health concern. This study aimed to describe the profile of hospitalizations due to psychoactive substance use at the Hospital Espírita de Pelotas throughout 2024, characterizing patterns by sex, age group, substance used, and seasonality. Methods: This was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional, and quantitative study conducted at the Hospital Espírita de Pelotas. Patients aged 18 years or older hospitalized due to psychoactive substance use between January and December 2024 were included. Data were extracted from hospital records and included ICD-10 codes, age, sex, and month of admission. Analyses were performed using STATA 17.0, with descriptive statistics and Pearson's chi-square test to assess associations between the type of substance (single vs. multiple) and sociodemographic variables. Results: In 2024, the hospital recorded 762 hospitalizations due to psychoactive substance use, with a predominance of male patients (84.25%) and a mean age of 38.8 years. The use of multiple substances (44.36%) and alcohol alone (28.35%) were the main reasons for admission. Polysubstance use was more frequent among men and concentrated in the 25–44 age group (p<0.0001). There was no significant association between seasonality and type of substance (p=0.632). Conclusions: The study highlighted a high prevalence of hospitalizations due to multiple substance use, especially among economically active men, underscoring the socioeconomic impact. Seasonality did not influence hospitalization patterns. Limitations include the inability to distinguish between first admissions and readmissions. Findings reinforce the need for public policies focused on prevention and ongoing care for psychoactive substance users.