Jones B R, Sanson R L, Morris R S
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand.
N Z Vet J. 1997 Jun;45(3):100-8. doi: 10.1080/00480169.1997.36003.
A questionnaire-based case-control study investigating the association of a range of host-related, owner-related and environmental risk factors with feline lower urinary tract disease was conducted in New Zealand over a 2-year period from 1991 to 1993. The study was subsequently extended in two ways, to examine the influence of the use of litter trays and to correlate weather records with the appearance of the disease in one particular region of the country. A range of statistical techniques was employed to analyse the data, including univariate odds ratio and chi-squared calculations, time series analysis, Poisson regression and conditional and unconditional logistic regression. Variables that were positively associated with lower urinary tract disease included low activity levels, the use of a litter tray coupled with restriction indoors, a high number of rainfall days in the month preceding the appearance of clinical signs, stress factors such as moving house within the last 3 months or the presence of more than one cat in the household, and a diet high in dry cat food. There was some indication that high levels of fluid consumption reduced the effect of a diet high in dry cat food. Other variables that appeared to have some protective effects included a routine visit to the veterinarian in the last 12 months and the use of alternative food sources such as rodents and birds.
1991年至1993年的两年间，在新西兰开展了一项基于问卷调查的病例对照研究，调查一系列与宿主、主人及环境相关的风险因素与猫下泌尿道疾病之间的关联。该研究随后在两个方面进行了扩展，一是考察猫砂盆使用情况的影响，二是将天气记录与该国一个特定地区该疾病的出现情况进行关联。运用了一系列统计技术对数据进行分析，包括单变量比值比和卡方计算、时间序列分析、泊松回归以及条件和无条件逻辑回归。与下泌尿道疾病呈正相关的变量包括活动水平低、使用猫砂盆且限制在室内活动、出现临床症状前一个月降雨天数多、压力因素如过去3个月内搬家或家中养猫超过一只，以及干粮含量高的猫粮饮食。有迹象表明，大量饮水可降低干粮含量高的猫粮饮食的影响。其他似乎具有一定保护作用的变量包括过去12个月内定期拜访兽医以及使用啮齿动物和鸟类等替代食物来源。
