scholarly journals Unravelling the health status of brachycephalic dogs in the UK using multivariable analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
D. G. O’Neill ◽  
C. Pegram ◽  
P. Crocker ◽  
D. C. Brodbelt ◽  
D. B. Church ◽  
...  

Abstract Brachycephalic dog breeds are regularly asserted as being less healthy than non-brachycephalic breeds. Using primary-care veterinary clinical data, this study aimed to identify predispositions and protections in brachycephalic dogs and explore differing inferences between univariable and multivariable results. All disorders during 2016 were extracted from a random sample of 22,333 dogs within the VetCompass Programme from a sampling frame of 955,554 dogs under UK veterinary care in 2016. Univariable and multivariable binary logistic regression modelling explored brachycephaly as a risk factor for each of a series of common disorders. Brachycephalic dogs were younger, lighter and less likely to be neutered than mesocephalic, dolichocephalic and crossbred dogs. Brachycephalic differed to non-brachycephalic types in their odds for 10/30 (33.33%) common disorders. Of these, brachycephalic types were predisposed for eight disorders and were protected for two disorders. Univariable and multivariable analyses generated differing inference for 11/30 (30.67%) disorders. This study provides strong evidence that brachycephalic breeds are generally less healthy than their non-brachycephalic counterparts. Results from studies that report only univariable methods should be treated with extreme caution due to potential confounding effects that have not been accounted for during univariable study design or analysis.

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Pegram ◽  
Carol Gray ◽  
Rowena M. A. Packer ◽  
Ysabelle Richards ◽  
David B. Church ◽  
...  

AbstractThe loss of a pet can be particularly distressing for owners, whether the method of death is euthanasia or is unassisted. Using primary-care clinical data, this study aimed to report the demographic and clinical factors associated with euthanasia, relative to unassisted death, in dogs. Method of death (euthanasia or unassisted) and clinical cause of death were extracted from a random sample of 29,865 dogs within the VetCompass Programme from a sampling frame of 905,544 dogs under UK veterinary care in 2016. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between risk factors and method of death. Of the confirmed deaths, 26,676 (89.3%) were euthanased and 2,487 (8.3%) died unassisted. After accounting for confounding factors, 6 grouped-level disorders had higher odds in euthanased dogs (than dogs that died unassisted), using neoplasia as the baseline. The disorders with greatest odds included: poor quality of life (OR 16.28), undesirable behaviour (OR 11.36) and spinal cord disorder (OR 6.00). Breed, larger bodyweight and increasing age were additional risk factors for euthanasia. The results highlight that a large majority of owners will face euthanasia decisions and these findings can support veterinarians and owners to better prepare for such an eventuality.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camilla Pegram ◽  
Carol Gray ◽  
Rowena M. A. Packer ◽  
Ysabelle Richards ◽  
David B. Church ◽  
...  

Abstract The loss of a pet can be particularly distressing for owners, whether the method of death is euthanasia or is unassisted. Using primary-care clinical data, this study aimed to report the demographic and clinical factors associated with euthanasia, relative to unassisted death, in dogs. Method of death (euthanasia or unassisted) and clinical cause of death were extracted from a random sample of 29,865 dogs within the VetCompass Programme from a sampling frame of 905,544 dogs under UK veterinary care in 2016. Multivariable logistic regression modelling was used to evaluate associations between risk factors and method of death. Of the confirmed deaths, 26,676 (89.3%) were euthanased and 2,487 (8.3%) died unassisted. After accounting for confounding factors, 6 grouped-level disorders had higher odds in euthanased dogs (than dogs that died unassisted), using neoplasia as the baseline. The disorders with greatest odds included: poor quality of life (OR 16.28), undesirable behaviour (OR 11.36) and spinal cord disorder (OR 6.00). Breed, larger bodyweight and increasing age were additional risk factors for euthanasia. The results highlight that a large majority of owners will face euthanasia decisions and these findings can support veterinarians and owners to better prepare for such an eventuality.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0252039
Author(s):  
Zemene Berhan ◽  
Asmamaw Malede ◽  
Adinew Gizeyatu ◽  
Tadesse Sisay ◽  
Mistir Lingerew ◽  
...  

Background Needle stick and sharp injuries (NSSIs) are a common problem among healthcare workers (HCWs). Although the factors related to NSSIs for HCWs are well documented by several studies in Ethiopia, no evidence has been reported about the magnitude of and factors related to NSSIs in hospitals in northwestern Ethiopia. Methods An institution-based cross-sectional study was carried out from January to March 2019 among 318 HCWs in three randomly-selected hospitals of the eight hospitals found in South Gondar Zone. Sample sizes were proportionally allocated to professional categories. Study participants were selected by systematic random sampling methods using the monthly salary payroll for each profession as the sampling frame. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome of this study was the presence (injured) or absence of NSSIs during the 12 months prior to data collection. A binary logistic regression model with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used for data analysis. Variables from the bi-variable analysis with a p-value ≤ 0.25 were retained into the multivariable analysis. From the multivariable analysis, variables with a p-value less than 0.05 was declared as factors significantly associated with NSSIs. Main findings The prevalence of NSSIs was 29.5% (95% CI: 24.2–35.5%) during the 12 months prior to the survey. Of these, 46.0% reported that their injuries were moderate, superficial (33.3%) or severe (20.7%). About 41.4% of the injuries were caused by a suture needle. Factors significantly associated with NSSIs were occupation as a nurse (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.18–4.26), disposal of sharp materials in places other than in safety boxes (AOR = 3.93, 95% CI: 2.10–5.35), recapping of needles (AOR = 2.27, 95% CI: 1.13–4.56), and feeling sleepy at work (AOR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.14–4.41). Conclusion This study showed that almost one-third of HCWs had sustained NSSIs, a proportion that is high. Factors significantly associated with NSSIs were occupation as a nurse, habit of needle recapping, disposal of sharp materials in places other than in safety boxes and feeling sleepy at work. Observing proper and regular universal precautions for nurses during daily clinical activities and providing safety boxes for the disposal of sharp materials, practicing mechanical needle recapping and preventing sleepiness by reducing work overload among HCWs may reduce the incidence of NSSIs.


Author(s):  
Fan Ju ◽  
Xin Yuan ◽  
Baotong Li ◽  
Xiaokang Luo ◽  
Hengchao Wu ◽  
...  

Objective: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of rupture size on surgical outcomes of ventricular septal rupture. Methods: During a 15-year period, from Jan 2006 to Dec 2020, 112 patients underwent repairs of postinfarction ventricular septal rupture. Data were collected on clinical, angiographic, and echocardiographic findings; operative procedures; early morbidity and mortality; and survival time. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors of 30-day mortality. Results: Thirty-day mortality was 7.1% for the whole cohort. The mean survival time estimate was 147.2 (95% Cl 135.6-158.9) months, with a 3-year survival rate of 91.2% and a 5-year survival rate of 89.0%. Multivariable analysis regarded rupture enlargement gradient as an independent risk factor of 30-day mortality. The ROC curve indicated that rupture enlargement gradient predicted 30-day mortality with high accuracy. Conclusions: Delayed surgery could be considered for patients who respond well to aggressive treatment. Rupture enlargement gradient is an independent risk factor for postoperative 30-days morality of delayed VSR repair and has good predictive power for the prognosis of VSR patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ingmar Schäfer ◽  
Heike Hansen ◽  
Agata Menzel ◽  
Marion Eisele ◽  
Daniel Tajdar ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives The aims of our study were to describe the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown on primary care in Germany regarding the number of consultations, the prevalence of specific reasons for consultation presented by the patients, and the frequency of specific services performed by the GP. Methods We conducted a longitudinal observational study based on standardised GP interviews in a quota sampling design comparing the time before the COVID-19 pandemic (12 June 2015 to 27 April 2017) with the time during lockdown (21 April to 14 July 2020). The sample included GPs in urban and rural areas 120 km around Hamburg, Germany, and was stratified by region type and administrative districts. Differences in the consultation numbers were analysed by multivariate linear regressions in mixed models adjusted for random effects on the levels of the administrative districts and GP practices. Results One hundred ten GPs participated in the follow-up, corresponding to 52.1% of the baseline. Primary care practices in 32 of the 37 selected administrative districts (86.5%) could be represented in both assessments. At baseline, GPs reported 199.6 ± 96.9 consultations per week, which was significantly reduced during COVID-19 lockdown by 49.0% to 101.8 ± 67.6 consultations per week (p < 0.001). During lockdown, the frequency of five reasons for consultation (-43.0% to -31.5%) and eleven services (-56.6% to -33.5%) had significantly decreased. The multilevel, multivariable analyses showed an average reduction of 94.6 consultations per week (p < 0.001). Conclusions We observed a dramatic reduction of the number of consultations in primary care. This effect was independent of age, sex and specialty of the GP and independent of the practice location in urban or rural areas. Consultations for complaints like low back pain, gastrointestinal complaints, vertigo or fatigue and services like house calls/calls at nursing homes, wound treatments, pain therapy or screening examinations for the early detection of chronic diseases were particularly affected.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
S Haxha ◽  
U Pedersen-Bjergaard ◽  
J.B Nielsen ◽  
J Pallisgaard ◽  
R.B Devereux ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Cornell voltage criteria (CL) and Sokolow-Lyon criteria (SL) for electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) are well known predictors of cardiovascular outcome. However, their predictive value may differ according to patient type and remains to be further tested in diabetic mellitus (DM) patients. Purpose The present study aims to determine the prevalence of each ECG-LVH criteria and their respective predictive value in DM patients. Method A retrospective cohort study of individuals age &gt;40 years with digital ECGs from primary care were collected during 2001 to 2011. Data on medication, comorbidity, and outcomes were collected from Danish nationwide registries. DM was defined if individuals were prescribed oral antidiabetics or insulin, if they were diagnosed with DM type I or II, or had a HbA1c&gt;48 mmol/l. Cox multivariable analysis was used for estimating hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for all-cause mortality during follow-up of up to 17 years. Results Included were 183,749 individuals with a digital ECG collected in primary care. A total of 13,003 (7.1%) individuals had DM, they were older (65.8 vs. 61.3 years), had more myocardial infarction (16.1% vs. 5.2%), stroke (14.4% vs. 6.2%), hypertension (35.1% vs. 13.2%), CL LVH (8.0% vs. 5.6%) and more were males (53.3% vs. 45.3%) compared to the non-DM individuals (all p&lt;0.001). CL identified a larger percentage of LVH in DM compared to non-DM individuals (8.0% vs. 5.6%, p&lt;0.001), whereas SL identified similar percentage LVH in DM and non-DM individuals (8.5% vs. 8.1%, p=0.068). In multivariable adjusted analysis CL LVH remained strongly associated with all-cause mortality [HR 1.45 (95% CI: 1.42–1.48)] compared to SL LVH which found only a modest association [HR 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03–1.10)] (Figure 1). Of note, the association of CL LVH and all-cause mortality was even stronger than DM per se. There was no interaction with DM and either ECG LVH criteria (p&gt;0.45). Conclusion Cornell Voltage Left Ventricular Hypertrophy is a strong predictor of mortality in patients with and without diabetes and an independent risk factor compared to hypertension and diabetes. The predictive value was substantially stronger than Sokolow-Lyon Voltage criteria for hypertrophy. Figure 1. LVH and all-cause mortality Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


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