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Equine veterinary journal2021; 54(3); 467-480; doi: 10.1111/evj.13527

A scoping review of the current evidence on treatment and outcomes following synovial sepsis.

Abstract: Synovial sepsis is a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in horses. Despite advances in diagnostics and treatments, persistent infection or chronic lameness can occur. Objective: To perform a scoping review to identify and evaluate the current evidence on the factors implicated in the success of treatment for synovial sepsis. Methods: Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review. Methods: A protocol was registered, and a systematic literature search was performed on CAB abstracts, Medline, Scopus and Embase. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were developed and studies systematically reviewed against this. Studies relating to factors affecting treatment success following synovial sepsis were retained and data was extracted on study method, population characteristics and factors significantly associated with treatment outcome. Results: In total, 2338 studies were identified, and 61 were included to full paper analysis. Eight papers reported significant factors, identifying 15 risk factors associated with two measurements of outcome, either survival and/or return to athletic function. The 15 factors were identified and categorised into pre-, intra- and post-operative factors. Risk factors that were identified included the number or type of synovial structures involved, the presence of pannus, tendon and bone pathology, and the use of systemic antimicrobials. There were many discrepancies in inclusion criteria of cases of synovial sepsis as well as measurement and description of outcome variables. Conclusions: Non-English language studies or conference proceedings were not included. Only small numbers of papers had similar findings. Conclusions: Standardisation of inclusion criteria is essential to enable comparisons and analysis between studies on synovial sepsis. Future studies should use methodologies to reduce bias including multicentre and multinational studies, prospective study design and robust statistical modelling.
© 2021 The Authors. Equine Veterinary Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2021-11-12 PubMed ID: 34706106DOI: 10.1111/evj.13527Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper explores the current evidence on treatment and successful outcomes for synovial sepsis in horses, identifying certain risk factors that could affect treatment success.

Methods

  • The researchers used the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review method to conduct their study.
  • A systematic literature search was performed using databases such as CAB abstracts, Medline, Scopus, and Embase to gather relevant studies.
  • Inclusion and exclusion criteria were established beforehand and used to filter out the studies that didn’t fit.
  • The filtered examinations focused on elements influencing successful treatment following synovial sepsis.
  • Data from suitable studies were extracted and analyzed in various aspects such as study method, population characteristics, and factors significantly associated with treatment outcome.

Results

  • Out of the 2338 identified studies, 61 were selected for full paper analysis.
  • Eight of these papers indicated significant factors, identifying 15 risk factors related to outcome measures of survival and/or return to athletic function.
  • The risk factors identified were grouped into three categories: pre-operative, intra-operative, and post-operative factors.
  • Examples of these risk factors include the number or type of synovial structures involved in the disease, presence of pannus, tendon and bone pathology, and the use of systemic antimicrobials.
  • Discrepancies were found in the inclusion criteria for synovial sepsis cases and the measurement and description of outcome variables across different studies.

Conclusions

  • Several limitations were identified in the study: Non-English language studies or conference proceedings were not included and only a small number of papers had similar findings.
  • The study recommends standardizing the inclusion criteria to enable easier comparison and better analysis between different studies on synovial sepsis.
  • To reduce bias and improve future studies on synovial sepsis, the researchers suggest the use of methodologies such as multicentre and multinational studies, prospective study design, and robust statistical modeling.

Cite This Article

APA
de Souza TC, Suthers JM, Busschers E, Burford JH, Freeman SL. (2021). A scoping review of the current evidence on treatment and outcomes following synovial sepsis. Equine Vet J, 54(3), 467-480. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13527

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 54
Issue: 3
Pages: 467-480

Researcher Affiliations

de Souza, Therese C
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Suthers, Joanna M
  • B&W Equine Hospital, Berkeley, UK.
Busschers, Evita
  • Bell Equine Veterinary Clinic, Maidstone, UK.
Burford, John H
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.
Freeman, Sarah L
  • School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horse Diseases / therapy
  • Horses
  • Prospective Studies
  • Research Design
  • Risk Factors
  • Sepsis / complications
  • Sepsis / therapy
  • Sepsis / veterinary
  • Treatment Outcome

Grant Funding

  • University of Nottingham

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Jimenez Rihuete P, Martin C, Villarino NF, Rubio-Martínez LM. Effect of silica-sprayed collection tubes on synovial fluid bacterial culture. Vet Med Sci 2024 Jul;10(4):e1501.
    doi: 10.1002/vms3.1501pubmed: 38923315google scholar: lookup
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