A multicenter, matched case-control study of risk factors for equine laminitis.
Abstract: Risk factors for equine laminitis were examined in a prospective case-control study of the 258 cases seen at six collaborating veterinary teaching hospitals over a 32-month period. Case-control pairs were matched on institution, clinician, and season of diagnosis. The 90% of case-control pairs (78 acute, 155 chronic) that had complete data for age, gender, and breed were used in separate conditional logistic-regression models for acute and chronic laminitis. There was an increase in risk for horses with acute laminitis from 5 to 7 years of age (OR 4.7, 95% CI 1.3-16) and from 13 to 31 years of age (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.3-12) (both compared to <5 years); risk was increased for chronic laminitis from 10 to 14 years (OR 3, 95% CI 1.4-6.8) and from 15 to 38 years (OR 2.9, 95% CI 1.4-6.1) (both compared to <6 years). Mares - but not stallions - were more likely than geldings to develop acute laminitis (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.1-6.2) and chronic laminitis (OR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1-3.6). In the small acute-laminitis data set, the breed variable was collapsed into three categories: Thoroughbred (THB, reference), the Quarter Horse (QH), and other (non-QH-THB). The non-QH-THB group was at increased risk of acute laminitis (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.2-11.8). For the seven breed-group categories used in the chronic-laminitis model, however, all non-THB breed groups appeared significantly at risk as compared to the THB, with odds ratios ranging from 3.3 (95% CI 1.3-8.30) for the QH to 9.1 (95% CI 2.1-39.3) for ponies.
Publication Date: 2001-04-20 PubMed ID: 11311954DOI: 10.1016/s0167-5877(01)00188-xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Multicenter Study
- Research Support
- U.S. Gov't
- Non-P.H.S.
Summary
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This research examines the risk factors contributing to instances of laminitis, a painful and potentially debilitating condition, in horses. The study utilized a matched case-control model, analyzing data for age, sex, and breed from 258 cases across six veterinary teaching hospitals, then comparing this to the likelihood of acute and chronic laminitis development.
Overview of the Study
- The study took place across a span of 32 months and utilized data from 258 cases of equine laminitis seen at six different veterinary teaching hospitals.
- The researchers investigated possible risk factors for laminitis, an ailment of horses causing inflammation in their feet and leading to severe pain and debilitating conditions.
- Matched case-control pairs were established based on the institution, the clinician attending the case, and the season of diagnosis.
- The researchers used conditional logistic regression models to analyze the data based on variables like horse’s age, sex, and breed. This was done separately for acute and chronic laminitis.
Key Findings
- They found that horses between the ages of 5 and 7, and 13 to 31 were at a higher risk of developing acute laminitis than horses younger than 5 years. The odds ratios (OR) were 4.7 and 3.9 respectively.
- In the case of chronic laminitis, horses aged between 10 to 14 years and 15 to 38 years were found to be at higher risk compared to horses younger than 6 years, with respective odds ratios of 3 and 2.9.
- The study revealed that mares were more likely than geldings to develop both acute (OR 2.6) and chronic laminitis (OR 2.0), but the risk level for stallions was not elevated.
- In the acute laminitis data set, non-Thoroughbred, non-Quarter Horse breeds (categorized as ‘other’) displayed an increased risk (OR 3.8) compared to Thoroughbred horses.
- For chronic laminitis, all non-Thoroughbred breed groups were found to have a significantly higher risk compared to their Thoroughbred counterparts. The odds ratios ranged from 3.3 for the Quarter Horse to a whopping 9.1 for ponies.
Significance of the Research
- These findings provide significant insights into the risk factors for both chronic and acute laminitis in horses. Understanding the predisposing factors can aid in the early identification, prevention, and treatment of this debilitating condition, improving equine health and welfare.
- In addition, recognizing breed-specific susceptibilities helps to adapt care and preventive strategies tailored to individual horse breeds.
- This research could assist veterinarians, horse owners, and the broader equine industry in informed decision-making regarding horse care, managing the risk and impact of laminitis.
Cite This Article
APA
Alford P, Geller S, Richrdson B, Slater M, Honnas C, Foreman J, Robinson J, Messer M, Roberts M, Goble D, Hood D, Chaffin M.
(2001).
A multicenter, matched case-control study of risk factors for equine laminitis.
Prev Vet Med, 49(3-4), 209-222.
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0167-5877(01)00188-x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Public Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, Mail Stop 4458, College Station, TX 77843-4458, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Acute Disease
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Breeding
- Case-Control Studies
- Chronic Disease
- Female
- Foot Diseases / epidemiology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Incidence
- Inflammation / epidemiology
- Inflammation / veterinary
- Lameness, Animal / epidemiology
- Logistic Models
- Male
- Odds Ratio
- Prospective Studies
- Risk Factors
- Sex Factors
Citations
This article has been cited 8 times.- Lykkjen S, Stenbakk LK, Holmøy IH. Prevalence and risk factors for laminitis within the Norwegian pony breed Nordlandshest/Lyngshest. Acta Vet Scand 2023 Jun 16;65(1):22.
- Pratt-Phillips S, Munjizun A. Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
- Górniak W, Wieliczko M, Soroko M, Korczyński M. Evaluation of the Accuracy of Horse Body Weight Estimation Methods. Animals (Basel) 2020 Sep 26;10(10).
- Langner K, Blaue D, Schedlbauer C, Starzonek J, Julliand V, Vervuert I. Changes in the faecal microbiota of horses and ponies during a two-year body weight gain programme. PLoS One 2020;15(3):e0230015.
- Pollard D, Wylie CE, Verheyen KLP, Newton JR. Identification of modifiable factors associated with owner-reported equine laminitis in Britain using a web-based cohort study approach. BMC Vet Res 2019 Feb 12;15(1):59.
- Giles SL, Nicol CJ, Rands SA, Harris PA. Assessing the seasonal prevalence and risk factors for nuchal crest adiposity in domestic horses and ponies using the Cresty Neck Score. BMC Vet Res 2015 Jan 31;11:13.
- Johnson PJ, Wiedmeyer CE, Messer NT, Ganjam VK. Medical implications of obesity in horses--lessons for human obesity. J Diabetes Sci Technol 2009 Jan;3(1):163-74.
- Robles M, Rousseau-Ralliard D, Dubois C, Josse T, Nouveau É, Dahirel M, Wimel L, Couturier-Tarrade A, Chavatte-Palmer P. Obesity during Pregnancy in the Horse: Effect on Term Placental Structure and Gene Expression, as Well as Colostrum and Milk Fatty Acid Concentration. Vet Sci 2023 Dec 4;10(12).
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