INTRODUCTION: pneumoconiosis represents a set of respiratory illnesses, such as silicosis, asbestosis, talcosis, beriliosis and others, which are known by their main causal agent. Its incidence is probably high among exposed workers, but there is no epidemiological information such as historical series on hospitalizations in the several areas of the country. OBJECTIVE: to analyze hospital admissions due to pneumoconiosis in the period between 1984 and 2003 in all the domestic territory. METHOD: morbidity information from the AIH Hospitalization System of DATASUS (National Epidemiology Center of the Ministry of Health) was collected, described and analyzed, for the period between 1984 and 2003, including all Brazilian regions and States. IDC-9 (1984-1997) and ICD-10 (1998-2003) criteria were used. RESULTS: Brazil presented a growth trend in hospital admissions between 1984 and 1991 with high rates of hospitalizations in all areas, followed by a reduction in the period between 1992 and 2003. The median of admissions for the period between 1984 and 1991 was higher in the Center-West region and lower in the North region. In the second period, between 1992 and 2003, there was a change, with a lower median in the Northeast and higher rates in the South region. DISCUSSION: The difference between the two periods can be explained by the diagnostic criteria used in these periods and by the way information was collected. The differences among regions probably reflect local work processes and the access of workers to health services. CONCLUSION: The data show that actions to control and prevent these illnesses in the work environment are necessary. Pneumoconiosis is an important Public Health problem whose numbers still do not adequately reflect the problem. If coefficients are calculated on the population effectively exposed, they will certainly disclose high morbidity illnesses.
Pneumoconiosis; Silicosis; Asbestosis; Occupational lung disease
