Burden of disease by lower respiratory tract infections in Brazil, 1990 to 2015: estimates of the Global Burden of Disease 2015 study.

Introduction:: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) present significant incidence and mortality in the world. This article presents the impact of LRTIs in the burden of disease, according to the metrics used in the Global Burden of Disease study (GBD 2015) for Brazil in 1990 and 2015.

Methods:: Analysis of estimates from the GBD 2015: years of life lost due to premature death (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), years of life lost due to death or disability (DALYs = YLLs + YLDs).

Results:: LRTIs were the third cause of mortality in Brazil in 1990 and 2015, with 63.5 and 47.0 deaths/100,000 people, respectively. Although the number of deaths increased 26.8%, there was a reduction of 25.5% in mortality rates standardized by age, with emphasis on children under 5 years of age. The disability indicators, as measured by the DALYs, demonstrate a progressive reduction of the disease burden by LRTIs.

Discussion:: Despite the reduction in mortality rates in the period, LRTIs were an important cause of disability and still the third cause of death in Brazil in 2015. The increase in the number of deaths occurred due to the increase in population and its aging. The reduction in mortality rates accompanied the improvement of socioeconomic conditions, broader access to health care, national availability of antibiotics, and vaccination policies adopted in the country.

Conclusion:: Despite the current socioeconomic difficulties, there has been a progressive reduction of the LRTIs load effect in Brazil, mostly in mortality and disability, and among children under 5 years of age.