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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2023; 13(8); doi: 10.3390/ani13081348

Risk Factors for Epistaxis in Thoroughbred Flat Races in Japan (2001-2020).

Abstract: We investigated the risk factors for epistaxis in Japanese flat races over a 20-year period. The veterinary records of horses identified as having epistaxis by endoscopy on the race day, and the official racing records of all flat races from April to September between 2001 and 2020, were reviewed. The racecourses (n = 10), surface type, surface condition, race class, race distance, race year, sex, age, two training centers, ambient temperature, and body weight on race days were assessed using multivariable logistic regression (p < 0.05). Of 475,709 race starts, 616 (1.30 cases per 1000 starts; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.20-1.40) included an epistaxis event. Nine variables were significantly associated with epistaxis. Seven of the variables have been reported in previous studies: lower ambient temperature, soft surface conditions, shorter racing distances (≤1400 m), increasing age, females and geldings compared to males, training center, and race year. However, two novel variables were identified as significantly associated with epistaxis, increasing body weight per 20 kg (p < 0.001, odds ratio [OR], 1.33; 95% CI, 1.25-1.41) and the racecourses that the horses were running at (p < 0.001, especially Sapporo [OR; 4.74, 95% CI, 3.07-7.31], Hakodate [OR, 4.66; 95% CI, 3.05-7.11], and Kokura [OR, 4.14; 95% CI, 2.65-6.48] compared to the reference racecourse [Kyoto]). These results can facilitate developing interventions to reduce epistaxis in flat racing.
Publication Date: 2023-04-14 PubMed ID: 37106911PubMed Central: PMC10135158DOI: 10.3390/ani13081348Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The study looks into the risk factors leading to nosebleeds (epistaxis) in Thoroughbred flat races in Japan, with an analysis spanning 20 years. The findings reveal several factors contributing to the occurrence of epistaxis, including race conditions, horse attributes, and geographical differences.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved analyzing veterinary records of horses that experienced epistaxis during a race, captured via endoscopy, and comparing these to the official racing results between 2001 and 2020.
  • Different facets were taken into account such as the racecourses (10 in total), type and condition of the surface, race class, race distance, race year, sex and age of the horses, two training centers, ambient temperature, and body weight on race days.
  • These factors were subjected to a multivariable logistic regression to ascertain the odds of epistaxis occurrence.

Key Findings

  • Out of 475,709 race starts, there were 616 instances of epistaxis. The occurrence rate was 1.30 cases per 1000 starts.
  • Nine variables were found to have a significant association with epistaxis.
  • Among these, seven were previously identified in earlier studies: low ambient temperature, soft surface conditions, shorter race distances (≤1400 m), older age of horses, female horses and geldings as compared to male horses, training center, and race year.
  • In addition, the study identified two new variables that had a significant correlation with epistaxis: increase in body weight per 20 kg and racecourses where the horses ran. The latter variable, racecourse, exhibited especially higher odds in Sapporo, Hakodate, and Kokura as compared to the reference racecourse (Kyoto).

Implications of the Study

Despite its wide scope and detailed statistical analysis, the research suggests the necessity of additional interventions to cut down instances of epistaxis in flat racing. Possible actions could include managing the horses’ body weights, providing proper training, adjusting condition preparation depending on the racecourse, and paying special heed to horses running at specific racecourses identified as high-risk areas.

Cite This Article

APA
Sugiyama F, Takahashi Y, Nomura M, Ebisuda Y, Mukai K, Yoshida T. (2023). Risk Factors for Epistaxis in Thoroughbred Flat Races in Japan (2001-2020). Animals (Basel), 13(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13081348

Publication

ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 13
Issue: 8

Researcher Affiliations

Sugiyama, Fumi
  • Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 1400-4, Shiba, Shimotsuke 329-0412, Tochigi, Japan.
Takahashi, Yuji
  • Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 1400-4, Shiba, Shimotsuke 329-0412, Tochigi, Japan.
Nomura, Motoi
  • Equine Department, Japan Racing Association, 1-1-1, Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato 105-0003, Tokyo, Japan.
Ebisuda, Yusaku
  • Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 1400-4, Shiba, Shimotsuke 329-0412, Tochigi, Japan.
Mukai, Kazutaka
  • Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 1400-4, Shiba, Shimotsuke 329-0412, Tochigi, Japan.
Yoshida, Toshinobu
  • Sports Science Division, Equine Research Institute, Japan Racing Association, 1400-4, Shiba, Shimotsuke 329-0412, Tochigi, Japan.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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