Hematopoietic stem-cell transplants in Brazil: inequities in the distribution in Brazilian territory, 2001 to 2020

Abstract

The scope of this article is to describe the distribution of Transplant Centers (TCs) and hematopoietic stem-cell transplants (HSCTs) in the Brazilian territory. It is a descriptive study, which brings together information on the distribution of TCs and the number of procedures performed between 2001 and 2020, based on the following data sources: the Brazilian Cell Therapy and Bone Marrow Transplant Society of (SBTMO); the Brazilian Organ Transplant Association (ABTO); the Hospital Information System of the Unified Health System (SIH/ SUS); and the Ministry of Health (MS). A total of 86 TCs were identified, predominantly in the Southeastern region of the country (64%). There are no TCs in the Northern region. Throughout the period, there were more than 30,000 procedures, concentrated in the Southeastern and Southern regions. The allogeneic type of HSCT was prevalent. Differences were found between the numbers of transplants performed depending on the source consulted. Despite the increase in the number of procedures during the period studied, both the distribution of TCs and the number of HSCTs were concentrated in more developed regions. This heterogeneity may have led to inequities in the access of the population to treatment.