OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to systematically review the economic assessment studies carried out in Brazil, published between January 1980 and December 2013, assessing the technologies studied, study types, the and temporal evolution and quality. METHODS We systematically searched in MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, LILACS, SciELO, NHS EED, HTA Database (CRD), BVS ECOS, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and SISREBRATS. We selected partial and full economic evaluation studies in gastroenterology, where at least one of the authors was affiliated to a Brazilian institution. Two authors performed study selection and data extraction independently. Disagreements were resolved through discussion or through consultation with a third reviewer. The study characteristics were summarized in figures and summary tables. RESULTS Forty studies were included. The first studies were published in the 80s, but most occurred after 2000, with greater frequency in the last 4 years. Seventeen economic evaluations were incomplete  (42.5%) and 23 complete (57.5%). In the 23 complete reviews, 11(47.8%) studies were cost-utility analysis, 7 (30.4%) were cost-effectiveness analysis, 4 (17.4%) cost-consequence analysis, and 1 (4.3%) cost-minimization analysis. The type of technology evaluated was mainly medications in 25 studies (62.5%), 7 (17.5%) medical and surgical procedures, 3 (7.5%) medical and hospital equipment, 1 (2.5%) vaccines and 4 (10%) evaluated more than one type of technology. When classified by disease, 22 (55%) were studies on viral hepatitis, and in its most published after the year 2010 (63.4%). Five studies were related to digestive cancers and other included peptic diseases, hernias and other. CONCLUSIONS There was a considerable increase in publications of economic evaluations in Gastroenterology in Brazil, being mostly studies of drugs for treatment of viral hepatitis. The high cost of these treatments and increased of lawsuits seem to account for this increase.