Distribuição Espacial de Pacientes na Região Metropolitana de São Paulo Atendidos em um Hospital Público Terciário de Referência Cardiovascular Segundo Doenças dos Sistemas Circulatório, Respiratório, Endócrino e Neoplásico

BACKGROUND: The spatial distribution of patients according to clinical characteristics, using geoprocessing techniques, enables the identification of disease clusters within a studied population. This approach supports the development of targeted interventions directed toward specific risk groups. OBJECTIVES: To investigate geographical clusters of diseases of interest among patients attending a public tertiary hospital and to characterize their spatial distribution across the metropolitan area of São Paulo. METHODS: Based on the results of a previous study, two disease groups were defined: one representing the main diseases identified at the first hospital visit and another representing the main underlying causes of death. A detailed description is provided in the online supplementary material. Disease density was calculated by dividing the frequency of cases within each disease group by the population of each city/district and multiplying the result by 100,000 to enhance data visualization. Spatial data were subsequently analyzed and mapped to illustrate the spatial patterns and relationships identified in the study. RESULTS: Osasco and Taboão da Serra showed the highest density of underlying causes of death related to diseases of the circulatory system. Additionally, 12 cities/districts located at the borders of the study area showed no recorded neoplastic diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Vargem Grande Paulista showed the highest case density for neoplasms as underlying causes of death and comorbidities. Notably, Embu das Artes, a city recognized for its extensive green areas, showed the highest density of diseases of the respiratory system.