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Home / Equine Research Bank / PLoS One / Epidemiology of exertional rhabdomyolysis susceptibility in ...
PloS one2010; 5(7); e11594; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011594

Epidemiology of exertional rhabdomyolysis susceptibility in standardbred horses reveals associated risk factors and underlying enhanced performance.

Abstract: Exertional rhabdomyolysis syndrome is recognised in many athletic horse breeds and in recent years specific forms of the syndrome have been identified. However, although Standardbred horses are used worldwide for racing, there is a paucity of information about the epidemiological and performance-related aspects of the syndrome in this breed. The objectives of this study therefore were to determine the incidence, risk factors and performance effects of exertional rhabdomyolysis syndrome in Standardbred trotters and to compare the epidemiology and genetics of the syndrome with that in other breeds. Results: A questionnaire-based case-control study (with analysis of online race records) was conducted following identification of horses that were determined susceptible to exertional rhabdomyolysis (based on serum biochemistry) from a total of 683 horses in 22 yards. Thirty six exertional rhabdomyolysis-susceptible horses were subsequently genotyped for the skeletal muscle glycogen synthase (GYS1) mutation responsible for type 1 polysaccharide storage myopathy. A total of 44 susceptible horses was reported, resulting in an annual incidence of 6.4 (95% CI 4.6-8.2%) per 100 horses. Female horses were at significantly greater risk than males (odds ratio 7.1; 95% CI 2.1-23.4; p = 0.001) and nervous horses were at a greater risk than horses with calm or average temperaments (odds ratio 7.9; 95% CI 2.3-27.0; p = 0.001). Rhabdomyolysis-susceptible cases performed better from standstill starts (p = 0.04) than controls and had a higher percentage of wins (p = 0.006). All exertional rhabdomyolysis-susceptible horses tested were negative for the R309H GYS1 mutation. Conclusions: Exertional rhabdomyolysis syndrome in Standardbred horses has a similar incidence and risk factors to the syndrome in Thoroughbred horses. If the disorder has a genetic basis in Standardbreds, improved performance in susceptible animals may be responsible for maintenance of the disorder in the population.
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Publication Date: 2010-07-14 PubMed ID: 20644724PubMed Central: PMC2904368DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0011594Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The research looks into the effects and risks of exertional rhabdomyolysis syndrome, a condition affecting athletic horse breeds like Standardbred, and concludes that female and nervous horses have higher chances of getting the syndrome while those with it perform better in races.

Exertional Rhabdomyolysis Syndrome

  • The research focuses on exertional rhabdomyolysis syndrome, a condition found in many athletic horse breeds, and in specific forms in more recent years.
  • Despite its global usage in racing, there’s limited information available about the aspects related to this syndrome in Standardbred horses.

Method and Objectives of the Study

  • The researchers used a questionnaire-based case-control study and analyzed online race records after identifying horses susceptible to exertional rhabdomyolysis (based on serum biochemistry).
  • The objectives were to identify the incidence of the syndrome, the risk factors, performance effects in Standardbred trotters, and compare these aspects with other breeds.

Findings of the Study

  • The researchers found 44 susceptible horses from a total of 683 in 22 yards. This gives an annual incidence of 6.4 (95% CI 4.6-8.2%) per 100 horses.
  • Female horses were found to be more susceptible than their male counterparts with an odds ratio of 7.1 (95% CI 2.1-23.4; p = 0.001).
  • Horses with a nervous temperament were found to have a higher risk of getting the syndrome with an odds ratio of 7.9 (95% CI 2.3-27.0; p = 0.001).
  • Interestingly, rhabdomyolysis-susceptible horses performed better from standstill starts and recorded a higher percentage of wins.

Genetic Factors

  • All the susceptible horses tested were found to be negative for the R309H GYS1 mutation which is responsible for type 1 polysaccharide storage myopathy — a glycogen storage disease in horses.
  • The similar incidence of this syndrome in Standardbred horses and Thoroughbred horses, and potentially improved performance in susceptible animals, may mean that if there is a genetic basis for this disorder in Standardbreds, enhanced performance from such animals could be helping maintain the disorder in the population.

Cite This Article

APA
Isgren CM, Upjohn MM, Fernandez-Fuente M, Massey C, Pollott G, Verheyen KL, Piercy RJ. (2010). Epidemiology of exertional rhabdomyolysis susceptibility in standardbred horses reveals associated risk factors and underlying enhanced performance. PLoS One, 5(7), e11594. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0011594

Publication

PloS one
ISSN: 1932-6203
NlmUniqueID: 101285081
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 5
Issue: 7
Pages: e11594

Researcher Affiliations

Isgren, Cajsa M
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
Upjohn, Melissa M
    Fernandez-Fuente, Marta
      Massey, Claire
        Pollott, Geoff
          Verheyen, Kristien L P
            Piercy, Richard J

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Case-Control Studies
              • Disease Susceptibility
              • Female
              • Genotype
              • Glycogen Synthase / genetics
              • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
              • Horse Diseases / genetics
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Muscle, Skeletal / enzymology
              • Mutation
              • Rhabdomyolysis / epidemiology
              • Rhabdomyolysis / genetics
              • Risk Factors

              Conflict of Interest Statement

              Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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