MAIN COMPLICATIONS AND CLINICAL OUTCOMES OF SNAKEBITE ACCIDENTS CAUSED BY BOTHROPS SPP. IN HUMANS REPORTED IN THE STATE OF ESPÍRITO SANTO BETWEEN 2020 AND 2024

Resumo

INTRODUCTION: Snakebite accidents have been recognized by the World Health Organization as a neglected tropical disease due to their high incidence and severity. In Brazil and in the state of Espírito Santo (ES), snakebites caused by Bothrops spp. predominantly affect adults. The high morbimortality may cause severe psychosocial and economic impacts for the individual and society. OBJECTIVE: To describe the complications and clinical outcomes of snakebite accidents caused by Bothrops spp. recorded in the state of ES between 2020 and 2024. MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is an ecological, descriptive study that analyzed cases of Bothrops spp. snakebites reported in ES from 2020 to 2024. Data were obtained from the official health information system of ES, e-SUS Health Surveillance – “e-SUS VS”. The variables analyzed were: age, sex, occupation, severity, local and systemic complications, and clinical outcome. All cases reported in ES from 2020 to 2024 were included, excluding incomplete records or those without the selected variables. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Between 2020 and 2024, 3,099 accidents by Bothrops spp. were recorded in ES, with 79.38% cases (2,460) in men and 81.73% cases (2,533) in adults aged 20 to 69 years. Occupational accidents accounted for 49.31% cases (1,528). Most cases evolved as mild (68.31% - 2,117) and cure (91.16% - 2,825), with 5 recorded deaths. Among the 3.78% (117) of cases with complications, 87.1% (102) were local complications (LC), including secondary infection in 45.32% (64) and compartment syndrome in 23.74% (33). The most frequent systemic complication (SC) was kidney failure (72% - 18), with 10 cases presenting both LC and SC. About complications, 42.74% (50) were occupational. The complication rate increased with the severity of the accident: LC - mild (1.79%), moderate (4.57%), severe (17.22%) and SC - mild (0.43%), moderate (0.84%), severe (5.96%). Therefore, the predominance of cases among men and the working population highlights the importance of occupational prevention. The multifactorial and complex nature of the determinants of complications reinforces the need for further research, new therapeutic approaches, and public policies focused on prevention.