Perfil epidemiológico dos casos confirmados de COVID-19 no sul do Brasil: Epidemiological profile of confirmed cases of COVI-19 in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 reached different populations that have varied characteristics related to health. Thus the understanding of epidemiological data about the confirmed cases is necessary to optimize prevention and healthy promotion actions. Objective: To analyze the epidemiological profile of confirmed cases of COVID-19, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul. Methodology:  Retrospective study using a public database. All cases registered in the system Table of Anonymous Data of Confirmed Cases were analyzed. The data description was conducted by absolute and relative frequencies, the comparison between  groups (genders) and the chances of risk of death were calculated using the Chi-square test and Odds Ratio, with significance < 0.05. Results: 2.284.972 patients confirmed for COVID-19 were analyzed. Of these, 54% occurred in women and cough was the most reported symptom (47.5%). Hospitalization was necessary in 5.3% of the cases, and previous history of disease were the main causes of death. Conclusions: The results contribute to the understanding of the epidemiological profile of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, which enables the structuring of more efficient public health policies.A COVID-19 afetou populações com diferentes características de saúde, tornando essencial compreender dados epidemiológicos para otimizar ações de prevenção. Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar o perfil epidemiológico dos casos confirmados de COVID-19 no Rio Grande do Sul. Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo baseado em dados públicos do sistema Tabela de Dados Anonimizados de Casos Confirmados. Foram descritas frequências absolutas e relativas, e utilizadas as análises de Qui-quadrado e Odds Ratio (p<0,05). No total, 2.284.972 casos foram avaliados; 54% em mulheres, sendo a tosse o sintoma mais frequente (47,5%). Houve hospitalização em 5,3% dos casos, e doenças pré-existentes foram o principal fator associado ao óbito. Os achados auxiliam na compreensão do perfil epidemiológico da COVID-19 no estado, contribuindo para políticas públicas mais eficazes. Palavras-chave: Epidemiologia. Pandemia. SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19. Abstract: COVID-19 affected populations with diverse health characteristics, highlighting the need for epidemiological data to support prevention strategies. This study aimed to analyze the epidemiological profile of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. A retrospective analysis was conducted using public data from the Table of Anonymized Data on Confirmed Cases. Absolute and relative frequencies were described, and Chi-square tests and Odds Ratios were applied (p<0.05). A total of 2,284,972 cases were assessed; 54% occurred in women, and cough was the most frequent symptom (47.5%). Hospitalization was required in 5.3% of cases, and pre-existing conditions were the main factor associated with death. These findings provide insights into the epidemiological profile of COVID-19 in Rio Grande do Sul and may support more effective public health policies. Keywords: Epidemiology. Pandemic. SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19. Resumen: La COVID-19 afectó a poblaciones con diferentes características de salud, lo que resalta la importancia de comprender los datos epidemiológicos para optimizar la prevención. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el perfil epidemiológico de los casos confirmados de COVID-19 en el estado de Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil. Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo con datos públicos del sistema Tabla de Datos Anonimizados de Casos Confirmados. Se describieron frecuencias absolutas y relativas, y se aplicaron pruebas de Chi-cuadrado y Odds Ratio (p<0,05). En total, se evaluaron 2.284.972 casos; el 54% en mujeres, siendo la tos el síntoma más frecuente (47,5%). La hospitalización ocurrió en el 5,3% de los casos y las enfermedades preexistentes fueron el principal factor asociado al fallecimiento. Los hallazgos contribuyen a comprender el perfil epidemiológico de la COVID-19 en el estado y pueden orientar políticas de salud pública más efectivas. Palabras clave: Epidemiología. Pandemia. SARS-CoV-2. COVID-19