The aim of this study was to carry out an epidemiological analysis of the psychiatric hospitalizations in the Unified Health System (SUS) in Rio de Janeiro State. Data of hospitalization for mental and behavioral disorders were collected from the Hospital Information System (SIH-SUS) between 1999 and 2010. The majority of the patients was male, from 30 to 49 years old and the most frequent diagnosis were schizophrenia, alcohol use and mood disorders. We observed the number of hospitalizations for mental disorders decreased 70% in the studied period. The hospitalizations for mental disorders accounted for about 10% of all hospitalizations in the state of Rio de Janeiro, representing the second highest expending, after cardiovascular diseases. Therefore, this article reinforces that the SIH-SUS may be useful in mental health research area not only for providing secondary data of mental disorders, but also to evaluate the effectiveness of public policies implemented, as well to plan new health actions.
Mental disorders; hospitalization; inpatient care units; information systems; Unified Health System