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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Equine Vet Sci / Comparison of Two Diagnostic Methods to Detect Insulin Dysre...
Journal of equine veterinary science2020; 88; 102954; doi: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102954

Comparison of Two Diagnostic Methods to Detect Insulin Dysregulation in Horses Under Field Conditions.

Abstract: Straightforward testing procedures to enable the diagnosis of insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses that are suitable for use in daily veterinary practice are needed because of the risk that ID could result in laminitis. In our study (that included 90 horses), we compared the proportion of horses classified as ID-positive, ID-suspect, and ID-not diagnosed according to the basal insulin concentration (BIC) with the proportion of horses classified as ID-positive or ID-negative according to a practical and feasible version of an oral sugar test (OST). Furthermore, BIC, basal glucose concentration, and insulin and glucose concentration after OST were analyzed and compared. In the total study population, the OST detected significantly more ID-positive cases than the BIC, with cutoffs at equivalent specificities. Receiver operating characteristics analysis showed that at a lower cutoff, the sensitivity of the BIC could be increased, but at the cost of a significantly lower specificity. Taking this into account, we found diagnostic performance of the OST to be considerably better than the BIC and therefore considered it more recommendable for use as a screening test for ID in ambulatory practice. Furthermore, we investigated the relationship between body condition score and breed type with glucose and insulin concentration as determined after our version of the OST. For that purpose, the study group was subdivided into lean, moderate, and obese horses and "easy keeper breeds" versus "non-easy keeper breeds". Results supported the general assumption that obese horses and "easy keeper breeds" are more prone to the development of ID.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2020-02-07 PubMed ID: 32303301DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102954Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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This research article discusses a comparison of two methods, the Basal Insulin Concentration (BIC) and a practical version of an Oral Sugar Test (OST), to detect insulin dysregulation in horses. The OST was found to be significantly better than the BIC and therefore more recommendable for use in daily veterinary practice. The researchers also found that obese horses and certain breeds are more prone to developing insulin dysregulation.

Comparison of Diagnostic Methods for Insulin Dysregulation

  • The researchers compared the effectiveness of two diagnostic methods – the Basal Insulin Concentration (BIC) and an Oral Sugar Test (OST) – in detecting insulin dysregulation (ID) in horses.
  • Insulin dysregulation can lead to laminitis, a serious health condition in horses, hence the need for reliable testing procedures.
  • The study included 90 horses and the researchers examined those classified as ID positive, ID suspect and ID not diagnosed.
  • They analysed and compared the basal insulin concentration, basal glucose concentration, and insulin and glucose concentration after conducting the oral sugar test.

Results of Diagnostic Method Comparison

  • The OST detected significantly more ID-positive cases than the BIC at the same level of specificity, proving to be a more effective method.
  • While a lower cut-off could increase the sensitivity of BIC, it came at the cost of significantly lower specificity.
  • Therefore, the OST proved to be more suitable for use in daily veterinary practice as a screening test for insulin dysregulation.

Relationship between Body Conditions and Insulin Dysregulation

  • Furthermore, the researchers explored the relationship between body condition and breed type with glucose and insulin concentration after conducting the OST.
  • Horses were classified into lean, moderate, or obese categories and into ‘easy keeper breeds’ versus ‘non-easy keeper breeds’.
  • Their findings affirmed the general assumption that obese horses and ‘easy keeper breeds’ are more susceptible to the development of insulin dysregulation.

Cite This Article

APA
Van Den Wollenberg L, Vandendriessche V, van Maanen K, Counotte GHM. (2020). Comparison of Two Diagnostic Methods to Detect Insulin Dysregulation in Horses Under Field Conditions. J Equine Vet Sci, 88, 102954. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.102954

Publication

Journal of equine veterinary science
ISSN: 0737-0806
NlmUniqueID: 8216840
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 88
Pages: 102954
PII: S0737-0806(20)30045-9

Researcher Affiliations

Van Den Wollenberg, Linda
  • GD Animal Health BV, Deventer, The Netherlands. Electronic address: l.v.d.wollenberg@gddiergezondheid.nl.
Vandendriessche, Veerle
  • PAVO, Heijen, The Netherlands.
van Maanen, Kees
  • GD Animal Health BV, Deventer, The Netherlands.
Counotte, Guillaume H M
  • GD Animal Health BV, Deventer, The Netherlands.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Blood Glucose
  • Glucose
  • Glucose Tolerance Test / veterinary
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horses
  • Insulin
  • Insulin Resistance

Citations

This article has been cited 7 times.
  1. Delarocque J, Feige K, Carslake HB, Durham AE, Fey K, Warnken T. Development of a Web App to Convert Blood Insulin Concentrations among Various Immunoassays Used in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Aug 24;13(17).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13172704pubmed: 37684968google scholar: lookup
  2. Pratt-Phillips S, Munjizun A. Impacts of Adiposity on Exercise Performance in Horses. Animals (Basel) 2023 Feb 14;13(4).
    doi: 10.3390/ani13040666pubmed: 36830453google scholar: lookup
  3. Warnken T, Schaub C, Delarocque J, Frers F, Feige K, Sonntag J, Reiche DB. Palatability, glycemic, and insulinemic responses to various carbohydrate formulations: Alternatives for the diagnosis of insulin dysregulation in horses?. J Vet Intern Med 2023 Jan;37(1):282-291.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.16614pubmed: 36625459google scholar: lookup
  4. Gehlen H, Schwarz B, Bartmann C, Gernhardt J, Stöckle SD. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction and Metabolic Syndrome in Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2020 Dec 8;10(12).
    doi: 10.3390/ani10122335pubmed: 33302557google scholar: lookup
  5. Al-Ansari AS, Duggan V, Mulcahy G, Yin X, Brennan L, Cotter PD, Patel SH, O'Donovan CM, Crispie F, Walshe N. Faecal microbiota and serum metabolome association with equine metabolic syndrome in connemara ponies. BMC Vet Res 2025 Jul 1;21(1):411.
    doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-04853-2pubmed: 40598279google scholar: lookup
  6. Davis EL, Wood AD, Potier JFN. Prevalence and Progression of Resting ACTH, Insulin and Adiponectin Values as Indicators of Suspected Endocrine Diseases in Sport Horses and Ponies Compared to Non-Sport Horses, Ponies and Donkeys. Animals (Basel) 2025 May 1;15(9).
    doi: 10.3390/ani15091316pubmed: 40362130google scholar: lookup
  7. Pratt-Phillips S. Effect of Exercise Conditioning on Countering the Effects of Obesity and Insulin Resistance in Horses-A Review. Animals (Basel) 2024 Feb 26;14(5).
    doi: 10.3390/ani14050727pubmed: 38473112google scholar: lookup
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