[Diabetes mellitus in the elderly population in an urban area of Southern Brazil: a mortality and hospital morbidity study].

This study aimed to investigate the mortality trend and hospital morbidity from diabetes mellitus (DM) in an elderly population from Maringá, PR. The death information was obtained from the Brazilian Official Mortality Information System and hospitalization data from the official Hospital Information of the National Health System. Mortality data were analyzed from 1979 to 1998 and morbidity data from 1996 to 1998, both for people 60 years old and over. Population data were estimated from the national demographic census. From 1979 to 1998, the proportional mortality and mortality rate for DM in the elderly have increased 16% and 91.1%, respectively, for both sexes. The mortality rate increased from 72 to 137.6 per 100,000 inhabitants, an increase of 147.8% for men and 61.9% for women, more importantly after 80 years old. From the hospital admissions for endocrine, nutritional and metabolic diseases, nearly 60% were for Dm and among those, 30% for men and 70% for women. During the study period, hospitalization rates have decreased in all age groups. It is important for the municipality to recognize and improve the health promotion services specifically those addressed to the risk factors for DM in the community.