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Frequency of and risk factors for epistaxis associated with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses: 251,609 race starts (1992-1997).
Abstract: To determine the frequency of epistaxis during or after racing among racehorses and identify factors associated with development of epistaxis. Methods: Retrospective study. Methods: 247,564 Thoroughbred and 4,045 Anglo-Arab race starts. Methods: Race start information (breed, age, sex, racing distance, and race type) was obtained for Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arab horses racing in Japan Racing Association-sanctioned races between 1992 and 1997. All horses that raced were examined by a veterinarian within 30 minutes of the conclusion of the race; any horse that had blood at the nostrils was examined with an endoscope. If blood was observed in the trachea, epistaxis related to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) was diagnosed. Results: Epistaxis related to EIPH was identified following 369 race starts (0.15%). Frequency of EIPH-related epistaxis was significantly associated with race type, age, distance, and sex. Epistaxis was more common following steeplechase races than following flat races, in older horses than in horses that were 2 years old, following races < or =1,600 m long than following races between 1,601 and 2,000 m long, and in females than in sexually intact males. For horses that had an episode of epistaxis, the recurrence rate was 4.64%. Conclusions: Results suggested that frequency of EIPH-related epistaxis in racehorses is associated with the horse's age and sex, the type of race, and the distance raced. The higher frequency in shorter races suggests that higher intensity exercise of shorter duration may increase the probability of EIPH.
Publication Date: 2001-05-10 PubMed ID: 11345311DOI: 10.2460/javma.2001.218.1462Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The study investigates the occurrence of nose bleeds (or epistaxis) linked with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in racehorses, citing factors such as the type of race, horse’s age and sex, and distance covered in races. The shorter duration, high-intensity races seem to increase chances of such bleeding.
Study Overview
The research paper is a retrospective study that analyzes Thoroughbred and Anglo-Arab horse race starts sanctioned by the Japan Racing Association from 1992 to 1997. The primary focus of the study was to:
- Determine the frequency of epistaxis related to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH) occurring during or after racing among these racehorses
- Identify the risk factors associated with the development of such epistaxis
Every horse that participated in these races was examined by a veterinarian within 30 minutes of the race’s conclusion—endoscopic examinations were performed on horses that showed blood at their nostrils. The presence of blood in the trachea indicated EIPH-related epistaxis.
Findings and Conclusions
The research found that:
- Epistaxis related to EIPH followed 369 race starts, which equates to 0.15% of all starts.
- Various factors significantly impacted the frequency of EIPH-related epistaxis, specifically the type of race, the age of the horse, the distance of the race, and the sex of the horse.
- Nosebleeds were more common in steeplechase races compared to flat races and in older horses in comparison to two-year-old ones.
- Shorter races of less than or equal to 1,600m witnessed more incidences of nosebleeds in comparison to races ranging from 1,601m to 2,000m.
- Female horses displayed a higher likelihood of epistaxis than the sexually intact male horses.
The research concludes that the frequency of EIPH-related epistaxis among racehorses is significantly associated with the horse’s age and gender, the specific type of race, and the distance raced. More specifically, the study suggests a higher frequency of EIPH in shorter, more intense races, possibly indicating that they increase the chances of EIPH.
Cite This Article
APA
Takahashi T, Hiraga A, Ohmura H, Kai M, Jones JH.
(2001).
Frequency of and risk factors for epistaxis associated with exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses: 251,609 race starts (1992-1997).
J Am Vet Med Assoc, 218(9), 1462-1464.
https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.2001.218.1462 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Equine Research Institute of the Japan Racing Association, Utsunomiya, Tochigi.
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Breeding
- Epistaxis / epidemiology
- Epistaxis / etiology
- Epistaxis / veterinary
- Female
- Hemorrhage / diagnosis
- Hemorrhage / etiology
- Hemorrhage / veterinary
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / etiology
- Horses
- Lung Diseases / diagnosis
- Lung Diseases / etiology
- Lung Diseases / veterinary
- Male
- Physical Exertion
- Risk Factors
- Running
Citations
This article has been cited 7 times.- Shawaf T. Jugular venous thrombosis as a risk factor for exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in thoroughbred racehorses. Open Vet J 2024 May;14(5):1111-1116.
- Massie S, Bayly W, Ohmura H, Takahashi Y, Mukai K, Léguillette R. Field-training in young two-year-old thoroughbreds: investigating cardiorespiratory adaptations and the presence of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage. BMC Vet Res 2024 Apr 26;20(1):159.
- Sugiyama F, Takahashi Y, Nomura M, Ebisuda Y, Mukai K, Yoshida T. Risk Factors for Epistaxis in Thoroughbred Flat Races in Japan (2001-2020). Animals (Basel) 2023 Apr 14;13(8).
- Nath L, Stent A, Elliott A, La Gerche A, Franklin S. Risk Factors for Exercise-Associated Sudden Cardiac Death in Thoroughbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 May 18;12(10).
- Lo Feudo CM, Stucchi L, Stancari G, Alberti E, Conturba B, Zucca E, Ferrucci F. Associations between Exercise-Induced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) and Fitness Parameters Measured by Incremental Treadmill Test in Standardbred Racehorses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Feb 12;12(4).
- Poole DC, Erickson HH. Exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: where are we now?. Vet Med (Auckl) 2016;7:133-148.
- Hinchcliff KW, Couetil LL, Knight PK, Morley PS, Robinson NE, Sweeney CR, van Erck E. Exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses: American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine consensus statement. J Vet Intern Med 2015 May-Jun;29(3):743-58.
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