Epidemiological study design and the advancement of equine health

Fosgate, Geoffrey T.; Cohen, Noah D.

doi:10.2746/042516408x363323

Cited by 8 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(44 reference statements)

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“…The study of Schwab et al [15], who investigated 75 subjects aged more than 60 years old, showed that the prevalence of DLS was 68 %. For epidemiological studies, a sufficient number of cases are warranted for a sound conclusion [16]. However, to our knowledge, there are few large-scale studies specifically addressing the prevalence of DLS.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis in Chinese Han population: prevalence and relationship to age, gender, bone mineral density, and body mass index

Sun

Huang

et al. 2013

Eur Spine J

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Purpose To investigate the prevalence of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS) in Chinese Han population, as well as its correlation with age, gender, bone mineral density (BMD), and body mass index (BMI); and to determine factors that might affect the curve severity. Methods A prospective study was performed on adults visiting the dual-energy X-ray absorption clinics for physical examination from January 2011 to March 2012. 2,395 subjects aged older than 40 years and having no history of previous spinal trauma, surgeries or scoliosis, were enrolled in this study. A logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent variables related to the presence of scoliosis. Besides, the relationship between curve severity and these variables was also analyzed with partial linear correlation analysis. Results The prevalence of DLS was approximately 13.3 %. The logistic regression analysis showed that age, T score, and gender all had remarkable correlation with the occurrence of DLS, with the odd ratios being 4.2, 1.5, and 1.6, respectively. According to the receiver operating characteristics curve, the best dividing point for age and T score of female subjects was 65 and -2.0, respectively. Partial linear correlation analysis indicated that there existed no obvious correlation between the above variables and the severity of scoliosis. Conclusion The prevalence of DLS in Chinese Han population aged older than 40 years was approximately 13.3 %, which had a significant correlation with age, gender, and BMD. Osteopenia, gender of female, and aged older than 65 years could contribute to the presence of DLS. The curve severity was not associated with age, gender, BMI, or BMD.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis in Chinese Han population: prevalence and relationship to age, gender, bone mineral density, and body mass index

Sun

Huang

et al. 2013

Eur Spine J

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“…However, in no study was any attempt made to confirm the 'controls' were DDSP negative and therefore a valid comparison. Furthermore, knowledge of the outcome status before collection of exposure information is the defining feature of a case-control study (Fosgate and Cohen 2008). It has previously been suggested that these studies should not be classified as case-control studies (Fosgate and Cohen 2008); therefore for the purposes of this review they were reclassified as cohort studies.…”

Section: Systematic Reviewmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of the efficacy of interventions for dynamic intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate

Allen

Christley

Birchall

et al. 2011

Equine Veterinary Journal

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SummaryThere are numerous treatments for correction of dorsal displacement of the soft palate (DDSP). However, the efficacy of these treatments is controversial and there is little consensus on how best to treat this condition. The aims of this study were to systematically review the literature and to assess the evidence on the clinical effects of interventions for dynamic intermittent DDSP. A secondary objective was to assess whether factors relating to study quality affected reported success rates. Twenty-three studies were included, covering a wide number of interventions but also differing widely is terms of study design, sample size, method of diagnosis, outcome measure and the number lost to follow-up. The assessment of adverse effects was severely limited because of lack of reporting. The way in which success is measured appears to have a great effect on the reported results. Research synthesis has been severely limited because of the heterogeneity in the included studies. The low level of evidence makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions as to the efficacy of procedures for DDSP. Hence it is currently not possible to determine which procedure is the most appropriate. This systematic review highlights the difficulties of studying palatal dysfunction and suggests areas where improvements can be made in future studies.

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“…An estimator is valid if multiple repetitions of the sample selection and data analysis processes yield a sampling distribution for the measure of interest that centres over the true population value 10‐12 . Bias is a systematic error that causes the sampling distribution of the estimator to centre over a different value 10,13‐15 . A further definition of bias is a persistent error unrelated to imprecision or other sources of random error 16 in the data collection or analysis.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Study design synopsis: Bias can cast a dark shadow over studies

Fosgate

2020

Equine Veterinary Journal

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The study of free‐living populations is important to generate knowledge related to the epidemiology of disease and other health outcomes. These studies are unable to provide the same level of control as is possible in laboratory studies and thus are susceptible to certain errors. The primary categories of study errors are random and systematic. Random errors cause imprecision and can be quantified using statistical methods including the calculation of confidence intervals. Systematic errors cause bias, which is typically difficult to quantify within the context of an individual study. The three main categories of systematic errors are selection, information, and confounding bias. Selection bias occurs when enrolled animals are not representative of the target population of interest in respect to characteristics important to the primary study objective. Information bias occurs when data collected from enrolled animals deviates from the true value. Information bias is most damaging when errors vary among comparison groups. Both selection and information bias are prevented through the application of good study design procedures. Researchers should select study animals after careful consideration of the primary study objective and desired target population. Investigators can reduce information bias through standardised data collection procedures and the use of blinding. Confounding bias occurs when the measured association between a predictor and an outcome ignores the influential effect of an additional variable. Confounding is common and analysts must implement the appropriate statistical adjustments to reduce the associated bias. All studies will have some errors and biased data with high precision are the most damaging to the validity of study conclusions. Authors can facilitate the critical evaluation of their research by providing text related to the limitations and potential sources of bias within the discussion section of their manuscripts.

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Epidemiological study design and the advancement of equine health

Cited by 8 publications

References 46 publications

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis in Chinese Han population: prevalence and relationship to age, gender, bone mineral density, and body mass index

Degenerative lumbar scoliosis in Chinese Han population: prevalence and relationship to age, gender, bone mineral density, and body mass index

A systematic review of the efficacy of interventions for dynamic intermittent dorsal displacement of the soft palate

Study design synopsis: Bias can cast a dark shadow over studies

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