Kim Younjung, Kim Hyungjoon, Pfeiffer Dirk, Brodbelt Dave
1 The Royal Veterinary College, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Hertfordshire, UK.
Current address: City University of Hong Kong, College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
J Feline Med Surg. 2018 Oct;20(10):913-921. doi: 10.1177/1098612X17734067. Epub 2017 Oct 2.
Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate potential risk factors for the diagnosis of feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) in cats living in a primarily indoor environment. Methods A case-control study focusing on a cohort of cats attending a first-opinion veterinary practice in Seoul, South Korea, from 2012-2016, was undertaken. Data were collected from cats' owners by questionnaire and analysed using a multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results Fifty-eight cases of FIC and 281 randomly selected controls were surveyed. Over 90% of the cases and controls had no access to the outside, and 100% and 91% of the cases and controls, respectively, were neutered. The estimated prevalence of an FIC diagnosis was 1.77% (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-2.18). The final logistic regression model included five variables associated with an FIC diagnosis. Males had 2.34 times the odds of being diagnosed with FIC compared with females (95% CI 1.18-4.62; P = 0.015). Cats reported as not having vantage points had 4.64 times the odds of an FIC diagnosis compared with those reported as having vantage points (95% CI 2.05-10.49; P <0.001). Cats living in an apartment had 2.53 times the odds of an FIC diagnosis compared with those living in a house (95% CI 1.30-4.93; P = 0.006). Cats cohabiting with other cats were more likely to be diagnosed with FIC than those living alone (odds ratio 3.16, 95% CI 1.61-6.22; P = 0.001). Cats using non-clumping litter had 2.62 times the odds of an FIC diagnosis compared with those using clumping litter (95% CI 1.38-4.96; P = 0.003). Conclusions and relevance This study was conducted in a different epidemiological context from previous studies in that the overwhelming majority of the cats studied were housed entirely indoors. This study identified several significant associations related to a cat's indoor environment. These findings suggest that the cat's physical and social environment may play a role in the development of FIC.
目的 本研究的目的是调查主要生活在室内环境中的猫被诊断为特发性膀胱炎（FIC）的潜在风险因素。方法 开展了一项病例对照研究，重点关注2012年至2016年在韩国首尔一家初诊兽医诊所就诊的一组猫。通过问卷调查从猫主人那里收集数据，并使用多变量逻辑回归分析进行分析。结果 对58例FIC病例和281例随机选择的对照进行了调查。超过90%的病例和对照无法接触室外，病例和对照中分别有100%和91%已绝育。FIC诊断的估计患病率为1.77%（95%置信区间[CI] 1.36 - 2.18）。最终的逻辑回归模型包括与FIC诊断相关的五个变量。与雌性相比，雄性被诊断为FIC的几率是雌性的2.34倍（95% CI 1.18 - 4.62；P = 0.015）。据报告没有有利位置的猫被诊断为FIC的几率是据报告有有利位置的猫的4.64倍（95% CI 2.05 - 10.49；P <0.001）。与住在房子里的猫相比，住在公寓里的猫被诊断为FIC的几率是2.53倍（95% CI 1.30 - 4.93；P = 0.006）。与单独生活的猫相比，与其他猫同居的猫更有可能被诊断为FIC（优势比3.16，95% CI 1.61 - 6.22；P = 0.001）。与使用结块猫砂的猫相比，使用非结块猫砂的猫被诊断为FIC的几率是2.62倍（95% CI 1.38 - 4.96；P = 0.003）。结论及相关性 本研究是在与以往研究不同的流行病学背景下进行的，因为所研究的绝大多数猫完全饲养在室内。本研究确定了与猫的室内环境相关的几个重要关联。这些发现表明，猫的物理和社会环境可能在FIC的发生中起作用。
