Cysticercosis-related benefits in Brazil: an epidemiological analysis of National Institute of Social Security data (2012–2024)
BMC Infectious Diseases·
- DOI
- 10.1186/s12879-026-14271-w
- PMID
- —
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- W7204238692
- Study type
- Cross-sectional study
- Publisher
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The findings demonstrate that cysticercosis creates a measurable burden on social protection systems through work disability. Administrative social security data may complement traditional surveillance approaches and inform targeted intersectoral policies addressing regional disparities in diagnosis, access to care, and social protection.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The study aimed to describe the sociodemographic, social security, and spatiotemporal characteristics of benefits granted for cysticercosis in Brazil from 2012 to 2024, and to assess whether social security databases could serve as complementary surveillance sources.
Study design
This was a population-based descriptive cross-sectional study using retrospective secondary data from the Brazilian National Social Security Institute covering January 2012 through December 2024. Benefits with a primary diagnosis of cysticercosis were analyzed for demographic, geographic, and temporal patterns, with spatial–temporal clusters identified using a discrete Poisson model.
Population and setting
The population consisted of 2,313 beneficiaries who received social security benefits for cysticercosis in Brazil. Most beneficiaries were male (63.20%), aged 30–50 years, urban residents (82.60%), and low-income earners, with over half receiving one minimum wage. Benefits were geographically concentrated in the Southeast and South regions, particularly São Paulo and Minas Gerais.
Main findings
Sickness aid or temporary incapacity accounted for 84.14% of benefits, with disability retirement representing 8.43%. Benefit concessions declined between 2019 and 2022, then showed a slight increase in 2023–2024. Two statistically significant high-risk spatial–temporal clusters were detected (p < 0.05), with benefits concentrated in the Southeast and South regions.
Public-health relevance
The findings demonstrate that cysticercosis creates a measurable burden on social protection systems through work disability. Administrative social security data may complement traditional surveillance approaches and inform targeted intersectoral policies addressing regional disparities in diagnosis, access to care, and social protection.
Important limitations
This summary relies solely on the supplied abstract and bibliographic metadata. Decision-grade interpretation requires access to the full published article, including detailed methods, completeness of case ascertainment through social security records, potential underreporting, and comparison with clinical surveillance data.
GIDS interpretation
This article was identified through classifier links for cysticercosis, Brazil, and surveillance. It demonstrates the feasibility of using administrative social security records as a supplementary data source for characterizing the burden and distribution of a parasitic disease. The work does not report or analyze real-time surveillance signals.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 5 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.