The Medical Burden of Heart Failure: A Comparative Delineation with Cancer in Brazil

Abstract

Background: Due to its poor prognosis and mortality rates, heart failure (HF) has been recognized as a malignant condition, comparable to some cancers in developed countries. Objectives: To compare mortality from HF and prevalent cancers using data from a nationwide database in Brazil. Methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study using secondary data obtained from Brazilian administrative databases of death records and hospitalization claims maintained by the Ministry of Health. Data were analyzed according to main diagnosis, year of [...]