A retrospective case control study to investigate race level risk factors associated with horse falls in Irish point-to-point races

2018 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
L.J. Smith ◽  
G. Tabor ◽  
J. Williams

Horseracing as a high-risk sport can pose a significant risk to equine welfare. To date no epidemiological reviews of fall risk in horseracing have investigated the risks specific to point-to-point (PTP) racing. This study aimed to identify the main race level risk factors associated with horse falls in Irish PTP and to compare these to published findings for hurdle and steeplechase racing. The study used a retrospective case-control design. Relevant variables were identified and information was collated for all PTP races in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. Race-level variables were analysed through univariable analysis to inform multivariable model building. A final multivariable logistic regression model was refined, using fall/no fall as the dependent variable, through a backward stepwise process with variables retained if likelihood ratio test P-values were <0.05. During the study period 1,358 PTP races were recorded, 727 races (54%) included at least one horse fall. The fall frequency noted during the current study was 88/1000 starts. Race category impacted the odds of a fall occurring with all categories of maiden races having increased odds of falls compared to open races. Maiden races for 6 year olds and 6 and 7 year olds had the greatest chance of falling with 6.9 times increased odds. The chance of a race containing a fall increased 38% for each additional runner and was reduced by 25% for every horse that pulled up during the race. Using a larger data set could enable further sub-models to be developed. In the current study some of the variables had a low number of cases and/or controls which limited the analysis. Retrospective analysis of fall risk exposed some risk factors that have been previously identified in hurdle and steeplechase racing. The variables identified could inform future research and interventions aimed at improving horse and jockey safety whilst racing.

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 225-234
Author(s):  
L.J. Smith ◽  
G. Tabor ◽  
J. Williams

Horse racing as a high-risk sport can pose a significant risk to equine welfare. There have been limited epidemiological reviews of fall risk specific to point-to-point racing. This study aimed to identify horse and jockey level risk factors associated with horse falls and compare these to published findings for Hurdle and Steeplechase racing. The study used a retrospective matched case-control design. Relevant variables were identified, and information was collated for all races in the 2013/2014 and 2014/2015 seasons. Cases and controls were matched with a 1:3 ratio. Controls (n=2,547) were selected at random from all horses that completed in the same race (n=849). Horse and jockey level variables were analysed through univariable analysis to inform multivariable model building. A final matched case-control multivariable logistic regression model was refined, using fall/no fall as the dependent variable, through a backward stepwise process. Horse age was associated with an increased risk of horse falls. For every 1 unit increase in age there was a 1.2 times increased fall risk. The number of races ran within 12 months was associated with a decreased risk of falling. The jockeys previous seasons percentage wins was associated with the risk of horse falls. Jockeys who had 0-4% wins and 5-9% wins had an increase in risk compared to those who had over 20% wins/runs. The jockeys previous seasons percentage of falls (F) or unseating of the rider (UR) was associated with the risk of horse falls with jockeys who had over 20% F/UR having a 50% increased chance of falling compared to those who had 0-4% F/UR. Retrospective analysis of horse and jockey falls has exposed risk factors that have been previously identified in hurdle and steeplechase racing. Identification of risk factors is essential when considering future research and interventions aimed at improving horse and jockey safety.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdulkareem Ali Hussein Nassar ◽  
Amr Abdulaziz Torbosh ◽  
Yassin Abdulmalik Mahyoub ◽  
Mohammed Abdullah Al Amad

Abstract Background: Dengue Fever (DF) is a significant health problem in Yemen especially in the coastal areas. On November 6, 2018, Taiz governorates surveillance officer notified the Ministry of Public Health and Population on an increase in the number of suspected DF in Al Qahirah and Al Mudhaffar districts, Taiz governorate. On November 7, 2018, Field Epidemiology Training Program sent a team to perform an investigation. The aims were to confirm and describe the outbreak by person, place and time in Taiz governorate, and identify its risk factors.Methodology: Descriptive and case-control study (1:2 ratio) were conducted. WHO case definition was used to identify cases in Al Qahirah or Al Mudhaffar districts during August-November 2018. Control was selected from the same districts who did not suffer from DF. Predesigned questionnaire was used to collect data related to sociodemographic, behavioral and environmental characteristics. Bivariate and multivariate backward stepwise analyses were used. The adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. A P value < 0.05 was considered as the cut point for statistically significant. Epi info version 7.2 was used.Results: A total of 50 DF cases were found. Almost 52% were males and 76% were <30 years of age. The overall attack rate was 1/10,000 of the population. Case fatality rate was 4%. In multivariate analysis, not working (aOR = 26.6, 95% CI: 6.8–104.7), not using mosquito repellent (aOR = 13.9, 95% CI:1.4–136.8), wearing short sleeves/pants (aOR = 27.3, 95% CI: 4.8–156.8), poor sanitation (aOR = 5.4, 95% CI: 1.4–20.3), presence of outdoor trees (aOR = 13.2, 95% CI: 2.8–63.0) and houses without window nets (aOR = 15.7, 95% CI: 3.9–63.4) were statistically significant risk factors associated with DF outbreak. Eleven 11 (58%) of blood samples were positive for DF IgM.Conclusions: DF outbreak in Al Qahirah and Al Mudhaffar districts, Taiz governorate was confirmed. This study provides evidence-based information regarding the identified risk factors that contributed to the occurrence of this outbreak. Raising community awareness on the importance of personal protection measures and improving the sanitation services are strongly recommended.


BMC Neurology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nan Zhang ◽  
Lin Zhang ◽  
Qiu Wang ◽  
Jingwei Zhao ◽  
Jia Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Globally, rates of ischemic stroke (IS) have been rising among young adults. This study was designed to identify risk factors associated with IS incidence in young adults unaffected by hypertension or diabetes. Methods This was a retrospective case-control study of early-onset IS patients without diabetes and hypertension. Control patients were matched with healthy individuals based upon sex, age (±2 years), and BMI (±3 kg/m2) at a 1:3 ratio. Sociodemographic, clinical, and risk factor-related data pertaining to these patients was collected. The association between these risk factors and IS incidence was then assessed using conditional logistic regression models. Results We recruited 60 IS patients and 180 controls with mean ages of 44.37 ± 4.68 and 44.31 ± 4.71 years, respectively, for this study. Relative to controls, IS patients had significantly higher total cholesterol (TG), homocysteine (HCY), white blood cell (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) levels, and significantly lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride cholesterol (TC), free triiodothyronine (FT3), and free thyroxine (FT4) levels (all P < 0.05). After controlling for potential confounding factors, HCY and ANC were found to be significantly positively associated with IS incidence (OR 1.518, 95%CI 1.165–1.977, P = 0.002 and OR 2.418, 95%CI 1.061–5.511, P = 0.036, respectively), whereas HDL-C and FT3 levels were negatively correlated with IS incidence (OR 0.001, 95%CI 0.000–0.083, P = 0.003 and OR 0.053, 95%CI 0.008–0.326, P = 0.002, respectively). Conclusions In young non-diabetic and non-hypertensive patients, lower HDL-C and FT3 levels and higher HCY and ANC levels may be associated with an elevated risk of IS. Additional prospective studies of large patient cohorts will be essential to validate these findings.


2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽  
Author(s):  
N Tiwana ◽  
A Pietronigro ◽  
M Mosillo ◽  
N Principi ◽  
D Carnevali ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Falls and fall-related injuries are a major public health issue which needs global attention due to its clinical and socioeconomic impact. Inpatient falls are the most common adverse event in hospital. Important risk factors for falls are polypharmacy and the assumption of so-called Fall Risk Increasing Drugs (FRIDs). Aims of our study were to investigate the associations between falls and the use of medications among inpatients by conducting a retrospective case-control study in a rehabilitation hospital in Northern Italy in 2018. Methods Three unique control for each faller, matched by age, sex and hospitalization ward, were selected. A Conditional Logistic Regression was performed to analyze the impact that 13 types of FRIDs individually and the number of administrated FRIDs had on the risk of falling. A second regression model was obtained adjusting the case-control matching for CIRS, Morse and Barthel scores. Results We identified 148 cases and 444 controls. 3 types of FRIDs were significantly correlated (p &lt; 0,05) with an increased risk of falling: Antipsychotics [OR:1,98;CI 95%:1,01-3,89], Antidepressants [OR:2,18;CI 95%:1,32-3,59], Diuretics [OR:1,71;CI 95%:1,09-2,68]. Antidepressants were the only type of FRID significantly correlated (p = 0,008) even in the model adjusted for CIRS, Morse and Barthel scores [OR:2,00;CI 95%:1,20-3,34]. The unadjusted model showed that the addition of one type of FRID to therapy was significantly associated with the fall event (p &lt; 0.05) [OR:1.21;CI 95%: 1.05 - 1.40]. Conclusions Assumption of drugs and polypharmacy could play a role in hospital falling. Recently developed fall risk assessment tools suffer from low specificity and sensitivity and do not assess these risk factors. A holistic approach with a multidimensional evaluation of the patient through screening tools, functional assessment tools and a full medical evaluation should be improved. Key messages Drugs may represent an important variable in determining the risk of falls in hospitalized patients, but they should not be considered alone. Screening tools for fall risk should take into account polypharmacy such as other intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors within an holistic approach.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Majid Mahmood ◽  
Sana Khurshid ◽  
Muhammad Khan ◽  
Saneeza Nadeem ◽  
Noor-ul-ain Ilyas ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: COVID-19, a novel disease, appeared in December 2019 in China and rapidly spread across the world. This study aimed to investigate and find out the factors responsible for death of COVID patients by comparing with recovered patients. Methodology: A retrospective, case control study was conducted from August 2020 to October 2020 in three hospitals of Poonch division, AJK. Total 192 patients who have been admitted in a hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 and positive PCR test, including 152 recovered from the infection and 40 died, were enrolled in the study. Data of age, gender, occupation, body weight, temperature, diabetic status, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, lungs disorder, kidney disorder, tuberculosis, cancer and smoking was collected for all patients and entered in a datasheet. Different factors were than compared statistically between recovered and dead patients. Results: Died patients had significantly higher age (P=0.000) and body temperature (P=0.000) as compared to recovered patients. Heart disorder, lungs disorder, older age, diabetes and hypertension were found to be significant risk factors of the death in COVID-90 patients. Mortality rate was found to be significantly higher in patients with heart disorder (P=0.000; OR=5.07), lungs disorder (P=0.000; OR=4.0), older age (P=0.000; OR=3.44), diabetes (P=0.001; OR=2.49) and hypertension (P=0.024; OR=1.84) as compared to the COVID-19 patients without these factors. Mortality rate was also higher for the patients with smoking and some kidney disorder but not significant (P=0.170 and 0.191 respectively). Among the died patients, 39 (97.5%) had 1 (2.5%) or more than one of the risk factors were present while 1 patient had no obvious risk factor.Conclusion: The study concludes that heart disorder, lungs disorder, older age, diabetes and hypertension are significant risk factors of the death in COVID-90 patients. More the risk factors accumulate in a person, higher will be the risk of death.


2006 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 167-173 ◽  
Author(s):  
A I Fathelrahman ◽  
A F Ab Rahman ◽  
Z Mohd Zain ◽  
M A Tengku

Data on adult risk factors associated with drug or chemical poisonings in Malaysia are scarce. The objective of the study was to identify possible risk factors associated with adult admissions to the Penang General Hospital (PGH) due to chemical poisoning and/or drug overdose. The present study was a case-control study, conducted over 18 weeks. One hundred acutely poisoned adult patients admitted to PGH during the period from September 2003 to February 2004 were considered as cases. Two hundred patients admitted to the same medical wards for other illnesses, during the same period, were matched for age and gender with the poisoned cases and thus selected as controls. McNemar test and binary logistic were used for univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis for multivariate analyses. The odds ratio (OR) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated for each predictor variable. Positive histories of psychiatric illness and previous poisoning, problems in boy/girl friend relationships, family problems, marital problems, Indian ethnicity, Chinese ethnicity, living in rented houses and living in a household with less than five people were significant risk factors associated with adult admissions due to poisoning.


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