Toxocara spp. is one of the most neglected zoonotic soil-transmitted helminths worldwide, causing toxocariasis in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of Toxocara spp. in dogs, cats, and their owners, the coprodiagnostic incidence in dogs and cats, the risk factors, and association with atopy in owners of these pets. A total of 70 dogs, 140 cats, and 118 owners were randomly selected. A blood sample was taken from each of them to determine anti-Toxocara IgG by in-house indirect ELISA using TES. Two fecal samples were taken from dogs and cats at 28-day intervals, and the Kato-Katz technique was used for cumulative coproincidence. Prevalence ratio (PR) and relative risk (RR) tests were used to establish risk factors. The ISAAC III survey and skin prick test for aeroallergens were used to classify atopy in the pet owners. The overall seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara IgG in dogs and cats was 80% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 74.1%-84.8%), whereas in the owners it was 22.9% (95% CI: 16.2%-31.2%). The overall coproprevalence and coproincidence in dogs and cats were 47.6% (95% CI: 41%-54.3%) and 20% (95% CI: 13.6%-28.4%), respectively. Dogs and cats that go outside more than three times a day are more likely to contract Toxocara spp. (RR = 3.87). Owners who had a seropositive dog and cat at the same time were more likely to be seropositive for Toxocara spp (PR = 3.46). One of the risk factors for owners was having a dog or cat between 9 and 16 years of age (RR = 1.5) and sleeping in bed with these pets (RR = 1.93). There was no positive association between seropositivity for Toxocara spp. and atopy in owners (PR = 1.02). This is the first study in Colombia to determine Toxocara spp. seroprevalence in dogs and cats. The high cumulative coproincidence suggests significant exposure of dogs and cats to this parasite eggs in public spaces, which generates interest in public health and reinforces the need for a "One Health" approach.
Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are increasing in popularity for the management of heart failure and coronary artery disease. The use of these interventions is dependent on rates of smartphone ownership. It is estimated that approximately 90% of the Australian adult population owns a smartphone; however, international studies suggest that smartphone ownership is significantly lower in patient populations, ranging from 34% to 91%. Smartphone ownership in patients with cardiovascular disease has not previously been examined. This study aimed to examine and compare pre-COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 pandemic smartphone ownership rates of inpatients admitted with coronary artery disease or heart failure. Data from prescreening logs of 2 multicenter randomized controlled trials, TeleClinical Care (TCC)-Pilot and TCC-Cardiac, were reviewed. TCC-Pilot recruited patients between February 2019 and March 2020. This formed the pre-COVID-19 cohort, with 377 patients screened who lived in Sydney, had a qualifying hospital admission, and had information regarding their phone ownership status. TCC-Cardiac recruited patients from July 2021 to February 2023, with 718 patients meeting the criteria and forming the post-COVID-19 cohort. Supplemental patient demographic and medical history data were collected from the electronic medical record. In the pre-COVID-19 cohort (N=377), 194 (51.5%) patients owned smartphones, 79 (21%) owned phones that were incompatible with the mHealth intervention, and the remaining 104 (27.6%) did not own a mobile phone. Smartphone owners were predominantly male (P<.001) and more often had private health insurance (P=.002). In the post-COVID-19 cohort (N=718), 366 (51%) patients owned smartphones, 106 (14.8%) owned incompatible phones, and the remaining 246 (34.3%) did not own any mobile phone. In both cohorts, younger patients were more likely to own smartphones (P<.001). Multiple comorbidities were associated with not owning a phone. Smartphone ownership accounted for just over 50% of the patients in this population. It was less common among older adults, patients with comorbidities, and those with markers of lower socioeconomic status. This needs to be considered when delivering mHealth interventions.
To document the opinions of owners presenting to veterinary teaching hospitals regarding the disclosure of medical errors. This cross-sectional study surveyed pet owners from 7 veterinary teaching hospitals in the US from 2021 to 2022. Data collected included demographics, personality traits, animal ownership, animal death experiences, animal-owner bond, and experiences with medical error. Multivariate regression models were built to assess the relationship between the belief that medical errors are inevitable and respondent characteristics. A total of 5,026 pet owners completed the survey, and 1,629 people provided descriptive accounts. The belief that medical errors are inevitable was negatively associated with extroversion and positively associated with education level. The majority (72%) indicated that they wanted to know about every medical error, 72% wanted to be notified immediately if an error occurred, and 88% wanted to know if a medical error had the potential to cause harm to their pet. The vast majority of respondents (87%) indicated that when a veterinarian poorly communicated about medical errors, they lost trust in the practitioner. When a veterinarian communicated a medical error well, 58% reported an improvement in trust. Respondents indicated that errors in communication, treatment, and diagnosis resulted in negative patient case outcomes. Participants in this study wanted to know about all medical errors and wanted to be informed of those errors immediately. Communication, misdiagnosis, and treatment errors leading to poor case outcomes were reasons pet owners believed errors occur. Veterinarians should be prepared to communicate completely with clients when a medical error occurs.
Imidacloprid (IMI), a neonicotinoid insecticide (NNI), is commonly used in ectoparasite treatments for pets. With the rise of pet ownership globally, there is also a rise in ectoparasite treatment use and a potential for human exposures to these chemicals. This study explored human exposures to IMI following IMI-based ectoparasite treatment application to household pets, using human biomonitoring methods. In this study, 67 participants in Irish households that applied IMI-based ectoparasite treatments provided five first-morning void urine samples for five days in a row. The first morning urine sample was collected the morning before treatment application, and then one sample was collected each of the following four days. All samples (n = 335) were analysed for IMI, and its metabolites, IMI-olefin and 4/5-hydroxy-IMI (OH-IMI). The study results show a pronounced increase in pet owners' urinary concentrations of IMI, IMI-olefin and OH-IMI in the days following the application. The detection frequency for IMI-olefin increased from 26% in pre-treatment samples to over 74% in post-treatment samples. Participants who had more physical interactions with the treated pet had markedly higher urinary concentrations of the IMI-olefin, as did participants who had used a larger quantity of IMI. However, all urinary concentrations indicated IMI exposures were below the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI). Urinary concentrations persisted over the sampling period, with no notable decrease in concentrations of IMI-olefin or OH-IMI after five days of sampling. Future studies should aim to conduct sampling over a longer timeframe to find the duration of exposure from IMI product use.
Brain injuries often have lifelong consequences that include long-term impairments and disability. Policy-, community-, and society-level interventions are a critical path to survivor impact. A recent qualitative study highlighted the potential of a new tool, Brain Injury Identification Cards, for enhancing survivor safety, self-advocacy, and well-being. The primary purpose of our study was to conduct a quantitative assessment of perceived benefits and self-reported credibility, expectancy, and acceptability to inform future trials. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the impressions of current owners (N = 99) of Brain Injury Identification Cards. We administered online self-report questionnaires and characterized perceived experiences, acceptability, and utility using descriptive statistics. Most (>67%) had favorable impressions about their own use of the Brain Injury Identification Cards, although approximately 19% perceived the cards as stigmatizing or embarrassing, and 22% said the cards were not helpful for their stress and anxiety surrounding traumatic brain injury symptoms. Overall, participants rated treatment credibility and expectancy as high, and all respondents who completed survey items (n = 96) indicated that they would recommend cards to others with traumatic brain injury and other medical conditions. Our findings highlight the perceived benefits of using a Brain Injury Identification Card among established Card owners. Future studies in representative samples of survivors assessing user experiences before and after the receipt of Brain Injury Identification Cards are needed to assess potential intervention effects. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have transformed oncology in human medicine, providing clinical benefit in a broad spectrum of cancers. Widely available ICIs for dogs are lacking. Evaluate efficacy and safety of gilvetmab, a caninized anti-PD-1 monoclonal antibody. Fifty-one client-owned dogs were evaluated, 25 with stages II-III melanoma and 26 with stages I-III mast cell tumor (MCT). Fifteen dogs with stages III-V lymphoma were also evaluated. Multi-institutional, open-label study. Enrolled dogs were treated with gilvetmab IV at 6 mg/kg q28d or 10 mg/kg q14d; 8 dogs receiving the lower dosage underwent dose escalation with their owners' consent. Safety was evaluated by physical examinations, laboratory testing, and clinical observations made by veterinarians or the dogs' owners. Efficacy was assessed by objective response rate (ORR) and time to progression (TTP) using cRECIST v1.0 and lymphoma response criteria. For melanoma, the ORR was 20% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7%-41%) and median TTP was 56 days. For MCT, the ORR was 46% (95% CI, 27%-67%) and median TTP was not reached. No objective responses were observed in dogs with lymphoma. Serious adverse events of anaphylaxis, hypotension, or tumor hemorrhage occurred in 3 dogs (3/51, 5.9%). Tumor enlargement before regression, consistent with possible pseudoprogression, was observed in 2 dogs with melanoma. Gilvetmab has a reasonable expectation of efficacy and an acceptable preliminary safety profile in dogs with MCT stages I-III and melanoma stages II and III.
To identify the main barriers to the delivery of contextualised care in UK small animal veterinary practice, and to understand how these are experienced in practice. The term contextualised care was introduced in the veterinary context in a published article by members of Veterinary Humanities UK. Although the term has been widely adopted there has been no explicit research into contextualised care in practice. This paper presents the first empirical evidence using quantitative and qualitative data on the barriers to contextualised care as perceived by over 400 veterinary professionals and over 700 dog and cat owners. This evidence should help veterinary teams to identify potential barriers to the delivery of contextualised care. The study used a mixed methods approach analysing data from questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups. The most frequently reported barriers related to lack of continuity of care and financial constraints, but the research also found that fear of regulatory scrutiny, missed or incorrect diagnoses, and client complaints could act as a barrier to adapting care to the individual animal, owner, and context. The study found some variation in the barriers encountered based on experience, role, and practice type. Overcoming the barriers to contextualised care will require support at all levels, including from professional bodies, educators, and those with leadership positions in veterinary practice. This research should help veterinary teams to overcome potential barriers to the delivery of contextualised care.
Assisted living (AL) cares for close to 1 million older adults who need long-term services and supports in the United States. This qualitative study examines private equity (PE) involvement in AL mergers, acquisitions, development, and operations based on interviews with 46 senior housing professionals (including AL owners, operators, and developers, real estate brokers, lenders, PE fund managers) and state agents (licensing and regulatory oversight staff and Long-term Care Ombudsman Program leaders). Participants indicate that PE involvement in AL responds to strong demographic demand and attractive financial returns, need for private funding sources, perceived social benefits, and absence of federal AL requirements. PE is primarily involved in AL through property ownership, but to varying degrees may also be involved in facility operations, including selecting and supporting qualified operators, and facility management. A nuanced understanding of PE's multidimensional involvement in AL-distinct from healthcare settings-and the centrality of private capital to support the growing demand for AL is needed to guide future policymaking.
The late nineteenth-century animal marketplace was a thriving industry. The growth of empire and the development of new technologies and infrastructure facilitated the global movement of animals. As a result, many more reached Britain, where they were purchased by a range of customers for varying pursuits. Historians have explored the role of animal dealers in facilitating this market, but few have considered the influence of the 'fancy of the private collector' upon the trade. Taking naturalist, museum proprietor and zoo owner Lionel Walter Rothschild (1868-1937) as its case study, this paper explores the ways in which the scientific predilections of those with money and influence shaped the market and business practices of animal dealers, contributing directly to the 'booms in beasts' of the period. However, the retailing of animals involved more than financial transactions. Through an examination of the supply of animals to Rothschild's zoological enterprise, this paper will demonstrate how scientific interests and purchasing power could combine to elevate customers from passive consumers, reliant on the capabilities of the animal dealer, to active collaborators. Working together, wealthy customers and dealers secured the further procurement of material, contributing to the construction of zoological knowledge, whilst also building their professional reputations.
In an era where technological advancements and work-life integration significantly shape the professional landscape, understanding their impact on individual job satisfaction and well-being is crucial, particularly for self-employed business owners. This study explores the effects of digitalization, autonomy, work-life balance, work engagement, and burnout on the job satisfaction and well-being of the self-employed. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) on a sample of 12,703 respondents from the Sixth Korean Working Conditions Survey (2020), this research offers comprehensive insights into the unique challenges faced by this demographic. The findings indicate that digitalization and automation significantly increase technology anxiety. In contrast, leadership autonomy and responsibility enhance job satisfaction but adversely impact well-being. Work-life interference negatively affects job satisfaction and well-being but positively correlates with burnout. Conversely, life-work interference positively influences job satisfaction but negatively impacts work engagement. Both work engagement and job satisfaction positively affect well-being, while burnout shows a negative relationship. Notably, work-life time balance positively influences job satisfaction and well-being, and overtime work has a surprisingly positive effect on these aspects. This research contributes to existing literature by underscoring the distinct experiences of the self-employed in the digital age, laying a groundwork for future research.
Parasitic diseases are a major but frequently overlooked health concern in reptiles, with consequences that extend beyond individual health issues to broader ecological and conservation concerns. A male red-tailed green rat snake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum), imported from Indonesia, died in quarantine one month after purchase, lacking any signs of illness except for a brief period of anorexia. Following its death, the owner observed a vermicular parasite emerging from the snake's oral cavity, which prompted submission of the animal to necropsy. A high-grade infection with 40 specimens of the pentastomid Raillietiella orientalis was confirmed by morphological and DNA analyses (18s rRNA). Moreover, histological examinations revealed macroscopic and histological evidence of larval migration. This case represents the first documented infection in red-tailed green rat snakes and signifies one of few reports on R. orientalis for Europe. It illustrates the potential introduction of invasive parasites through the exotic pet trade in the absence of adequate pre-import health screening. While the risk of establishment in European ecosystems remains uncertain, such introductions may pose challenges for captive reptiles, zoological collections and the native fauna. In addition, co-infections may alter disease progression and contribute to the pathogenicity of pentastomid infections.
To describe the complications and short-term outcome following the use of perioperative nasotracheal oxygen administered through a nasotracheal tube (NTT) placed prophylactically or as a rescue during anesthetic recovery for brachycephalic dogs. 35 brachycephalic dogs were included in this retrospective study. Medical records were searched between January 2017 and September 2025 for dogs with brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome that received supplemental oxygen through an NTT during the anesthetic recovery period. Dogs were divided into 2 groups depending on timing of tube placement. Tubes were placed prophylactically prior to extubation or as a rescue when reintubation was required. Follow-up information was obtained from medical records, referring veterinarians, or a phone call with the owner. Minor complications associated with NTTs occurred in 23% of dogs (8 of 35). Non-tube-related complications occurred in 63% of dogs (22 of 35), with severe respiratory complications occurring in 17% of dogs (6 of 35). Four of 6 dogs (67%) with severe respiratory complications had rescue tubes. Nasotracheal tubes were successful in 66% of dogs (23 of 35). Success was associated with 10-Fr or larger tubes. Nasotracheal oxygen supplementation was another tool to assist in successful anesthetic recovery of high-risk brachycephalic dogs. Larger tubes were associated with improved success rates. NTTs placed either prophylactically or as a rescue were generally well tolerated. Dogs that undergo rescue tube placement may experience severe postoperative respiratory complications, including temporary tracheostomy, need for mechanical ventilation, and euthanasia or death. Further evaluation on timing of NTT placement is warranted.
Initial management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) often involves administration of regular insulin, and the transition from regular to intermediate or long-acting insulin can be challenging. While some guidelines exist for this, recent developments in the field have altered the diabetes treatment landscape. The objective of this study was to describe insulin prescribing practices of small animal specialists for patients with DKA and to explore the factors influencing the selection of insulin type and dose. An electronic survey involving two clinical case scenarios was distributed to diplomates of American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM) and American College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (ACVECC) in Spring 2025. For the canine case, 76/162 participants (47%) selected insulin lente (Vetsulin® or Caninsulin), with 74/162 (46%) selecting insulin lente administered twice daily (BID). The median dose for insulin lente BID was 0.43 U/kg/injection (range, 0.05-1.29 U/kg/injection). 62 out of 162 respondents (38%) selected insulin NPH (Humulin®-N, Novolin®-N) BID at a median dose of 0.43 U/kg/injection (range, 0.11-2.15 U/kg/injection). For the feline case, 120/151 participants (79%) selected insulin glargine 100 U/ml, with 118/151 (78%) selecting insulin glargine BID. The median dose for insulin glargine BID was 0.17 U/kg/injection (range, 0.04-1.87 U/kg/injection). The survey data describe current prescribing practices and clinical decision-making. As options for novel insulins and diabetic therapies expand, additional studies focused on outcomes related to clinical control, cost efficacy, and quality-of-life for pet and owner are needed.
The rapid shift to remote work following the COVID-19 pandemic transformed private residential spaces into permanent workplaces, often without professional ergonomic oversight. While occupational lighting is strictly regulated by standards such as EN 12,464-1, these norms are legally unenforceable in private homes due to privacy regulations. This study addresses the "Privacy-Safety Paradox" by conducting a comparative legal analysis of employer responsibilities versus privacy rights in the EU (including France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, and Poland) and the USA. It presents a case series analysis of five distinct home-office scenarios, evaluating illuminance levels (Eavg, Emin) and uniformity (U0) against occupational safety requirements. Results reveal a 100% non-compliance rate, with critical deficiencies identified in makeshift workspaces. The most severe case exhibited an average illuminance of only ~ 188 lx and a minimum of ~ 22 lx, which is drastically below the biologically required thresholds for visual health and circadian regulation. The study identifies a systemic "compliance gap" where legal protections of the home, such as the German Selbstauskunft model or the Italian "right to disconnect", limit the employer's ability to perform physical audits. To mitigate this risk, the authors propose a simplified self-assessment checklist designed to allow remote workers to identify and correct visual hazards without specialized photometric equipment.
Mammomonogamus ierei is a nasal nematode of domestic cats, for which the life cycle and route of infection have remained unknown. Experimental oral infections have historically failed, leading to speculation regarding the involvement of an intermediate host and uncertainty about transmission pathways. The aim of this study was to determine the route of infection of M. ierei in domestic cats. Twenty kittens (6-12 weeks old) were exposed to infective third-stage larvae (L3) via six routes: per os (n = 3), oral mucosa (n = 3), nasal mucosa (n = 3), subcutaneous (n = 3), percutaneous (abdominal region) (n = 2), external auditory canal (n = 2), and an unexposed control group (n = 4). Kittens were randomized across litters to minimize litter-associated effects and monitored using serial fecal examinations for 70 days post-inoculation to assess establishment of infection and egg shedding. Motile L3 developed within 9 days in culture and exhibited morphometric characteristics consistent with previous descriptions. Two of 20 kittens developed patent M. ierei infections, first shedding eggs 48-51 days post-inoculation. Both infected animals belonged to the subcutaneous inoculation group, whereas no infections resulted from other inoculation routes. Mild, transient respiratory signs were observed in some kittens, including one prior to patency. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, a viable route of infection for M. ierei and provide the first experimental evidence of route of transmission for any species within the genus Mammomonogamus. The results suggest a direct life cycle, as infection was established in the absence of an intermediate host, but do not preclude the occurrence of paratenic hosts. Infection via subcutaneous exposure was successfully achieved; however, its relevance under natural conditions remains to be confirmed. This study advances the current understanding of Mammomonogamus biology and may have implications for parasite control and for transmission models of zoonotic species such as Mammomonogamus laryngeus.
Duck hepatitis virus (DHV) continues to pose a substantial threat to duck production worldwide, causing acute hepatitis, neurological manifestations, and elevated mortality rates, even in vaccinated flocks. During 2022-2023, a significant outbreak involving DHV-1 and DHV-3 was reported in duck farms across five governorates in North Egypt. The outbreaks primarily affected Pekin ducklings aged 4-15 days, with mortality rates ranging from 50% to 70%. Affected ducklings exhibited characteristic pathological lesions, including hepatomegaly with haemorrhages, splenomegaly, and renal enlargement. A total of 30 liver and spleen samples collected from affected farms were analysed using reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) targeting the 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) and the VP1 gene. DHV was detected in 56.7% (17/30) of the samples. Among the positive cases (n = 17), DHV-1 was identified in 29.4% (5/17), whereas DHV-3 accounted for 70.6% (12/17). Phylogenetic analysis based on whole-genome sequencing revealed that DHV-1 strains clustered within sub-clade 1a, demonstrating high genetic similarity (99.2-99.8%) with previously reported Egyptian isolates and Chinese reference strains (e.g., DHAV-1-CH-2012). In contrast, DHV-3 strains grouped within sub-clade 3a and showed close genetic relatedness to Chinese strains (97.1-98.7%), while showing marked divergence (75.9-76.3% nucleotide identity) from currently used vaccine strains. Genetic analysis identified multiple mutations in both viral types. DHV-1 exhibited amino acid substitutions within VP0, VP3, and non-structural protein regions, alongside five mutations in hypervariable region 1 (HVR1) and one mutation in HVR2 of the VP1. DHV-3 demonstrated distinct mutations within the VP1, including a unique E681K substitution identified in the Egyptian strain ND3. The findings demonstrate ongoing genetic evolution of DHV circulating in Egyptian duck farms, characterized by the predominance of genetically distinct DHAV-3 strains, with significant divergence from currently used vaccine strains. This genetic divergence may contribute to altered vaccine performance and continued disease outbreaks; however, its impact on vaccine-induced protection requires further experimental validation. Continuous genomic surveillance and the development of updated, strain-matched or multivalent vaccines are therefore essential to control DHV infections and minimise economic losses in Egypt's duck industry.
Obesity is a heterogeneous chronic disease in which excess adiposity increases the risk of morbidity and mortality. The Obesity Association, a division of the American Diabetes Association (ADA), developed comprehensive, evidence-based guidelines on screening, diagnosis, evaluation, and staging of overweight and obesity in adults. Monitoring for consistent increases in weight over time may facilitate early intervention to prevent obesity and its complications, and screening for excess adiposity should be performed at least annually using BMI. The recommended diagnostic criteria for overweight and obesity include race- and ethnicity-specific BMI thresholds supplemented with waist circumference-based measures for certain individuals to reduce the risk of underdiagnosis. healthcare professionals should perform a comprehensive clinical evaluation, including risk stratification and staging, of all adults diagnosed with overweight or obesity, which will inform the management plan and follow-up care. The ADA's Obesity Association encourages healthcare professionals to adopt these guidelines for evaluating obesity in adults.
The proposed construction of new particle accelerator-based facilities in the coming decades-and upgrades to existing facilities-provides the unique opportunity to embed innovative environmental impact reduction techniques into their design. This living document provides high-level guidelines to improve environmental sustainability in the planning, construction, operational and decommissioning stages of large accelerator facilities. A collection of various resources is provided, with examples of some existing and suggested practices.
Hydroxyurea (HU) is prescribed to reduce systemic complications of sickle cell disease; however, its association with sickle cell retinopathy (SCR) remains unclear. This meta-analysis (PROSPERO: CRD420251079006) evaluates the pooled association between HU use and SCR. In the primary analysis, HU use was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in SCR (OR = 0.90, 95% CI [0.41, 1.97], p = 0.79; I² = 77%). In a prespecified leave-one-out analysis, exclusion of the outlier study did not produce a statistically significant association, although the estimate shifted toward a stronger protective effect with reduced heterogeneity (OR = 0.70, 95% CI [0.39, 1.27], p = 0.25; I² = 67%). In a subgroup analysis excluding high-risk-of-bias studies, HU use was also not associated with a statistically significant reduction in SCR (OR = 0.84, 95% CI [0.39, 1.82], p = 0.66; I² = 77%). In post hoc analyses, HU use was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in SCR in non-adult populations (OR = 1.14, 95% CI [0.43, 3.05], p = 0.79; I² = 81%) or genotype-restricted analyses (OR = 1.22, 95% CI [0.81, 1.84], p = 0.35; I² = 0%). In post hoc analyses restricting studies to retinopathy phenotype, however, HU was associated with statistically significant lower odds of non-proliferative SCR (OR = 0.73, 95% CI [0.54, 0.98], p = 0.04; I² = 0%) and proliferative SCR (OR = 0.24, 95% CI [0.09, 0.60], p = 0.002; I² = 12%). Very low-certainty evidence suggests mixed associations between HU and SCR. Prospective studies are needed to clarify its role in SCR prevention.
Sickle cell disease (SCD) imposes a considerable burden on patients and their families while also exerting economic pressure on high-prevalence countries. This retrospective cohort study estimated the societal cost of SCD in England, including productivity loss (PL) and loss of future income (LFI). In this retrospective cohort study, individuals aged ≥ 12 years with SCD were identified between 01 April 2007 and 31 March 2019 using linked healthcare data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink Aurum, Hospital Episode Statistics, and Office for National Statistics death registrations. PL was calculated based on time spent hospitalised, attending healthcare appointments, or on certified sick days, using average wages for England stratified by age for the same year the PL occurred. LFI due to unemployment, medical retirement, or death was calculated from the age at first occurrence until age 68 years. Average annual earnings for FY2021/2022 were applied by age decile and discounted at 3.5%. Expected income increased with age decile. Overall, 9,272 patients with SCD were included, with a mean age of 35.5 years and a median follow-up of 7 years. Mean annualised (per patient per year [PPPY]) productive time lost due to hospital stays was 5.5 days. Individuals spent 2.7 days PPPY in outpatient care, 3.6 days PPPY attending primary care appointments, 3.3 days PPPY in emergency departments, and 2.2 days PPPY sick at home. The mean annualised PL for these sickness and healthcare attendances was £1,821 PPPY, equivalent to 3.1 weeks of average UK weekly earnings in 2021. For the 6% of patients (555/9,272) who experienced an LFI event, they were estimated to lose an average of £511,236 over their lifetime. Patients with SCD and their families had an estimated PL equivalent to 3.1 weeks of average UK weekly earnings in 2021 per individual annually. For patients with SCD who died or were incapacitated before retirement age, lifetime LFI was more than half a million pounds. Not applicable.