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Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire2017; 81(4); 261-269;

Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: An international survey of veterinarians’ approach to diagnosis, management, and estimated prevalence.

Abstract: The objectives of the present study were to determine if diagnosis and treatment of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) vary by geographic region and to report the prevalence of PPID in horses as observed by veterinarians across locations. An online questionnaire was developed for veterinarians who treat horses. Veterinary associations, especially equine specialty subgroups, were contacted and a survey link was sent to members of each organization. Generalized linear models were used to examine whether the method of diagnosis and treatment of this condition, as well as its reported prevalence, differed by geographic region. Veterinarians from 426 separate clinics in 20 countries returned surveys. Diagnosis of PPID varied by region, but was usually based on clinical signs and an adjunct endocrine test. Horses with PPID were treated medically by 63% of veterinarians and 75% of these used pergolide mesylate as treatment. The median prevalence estimated was 1% and this did not differ by geographic location. Half the veterinarians were caring for 5 or more animals with PPID. Overall, diagnostic approach differed in geographic regions. In general, European veterinarians were more likely than those in North America to diagnose PPID based on clinical signs alone, without using an adjunct laboratory test. Veterinarians reported that cost and management responsibilities were their clients' primary concerns associated with the long-term treatment of this disease, which indicates a need for additional treatment options for PPID. Les objectifs de la présente étude étaient de déterminer si le diagnostic et le traitement de la dysfonction de l’hypophyse médiale équine (DHME) varient selon la région géographique et signalent la prévalence de la DHME chez les chevaux, comme l’ont observé les vétérinaires dans différentes localisations. Un questionnaire en ligne a été développé pour les vétérinaires qui traitent les chevaux. Les associations vétérinaires, en particulier les sous-groupes de spécialités équines, ont été contactées et un lien pour un sondage a été envoyé aux membres de chaque organisation. Les modèles linéaires généralisés ont été utilisés pour examiner si la méthode de diagnostic et de traitement de cette condition, ainsi que sa prévalence déclarée, différaient selon la région géographique. Les vétérinaires provenant de 426 cliniques distinctes dans 20 pays ont répondu au sondage. Le diagnostic de DHME variait selon la région, mais était généralement basé sur les signes cliniques et un test endocrinien complémentaire. Les chevaux atteints de DHME ont été traités médicalement par 63 % des vétérinaires et 75 % de ceux-ci utilisaient le mésylate de pergolide comme traitement. La prévalence médiane estimée était de 1 % et cela ne différait pas selon la situation géographique. La moitié des vétérinaires prenaient soin de 5 animaux ou plus avec DHME. Dans l’ensemble, l’approche diagnostique différait selon les régions géographiques. En général, les vétérinaires européens étaient plus susceptibles que ceux en Amérique du Nord de diagnostiquer la DHME en se basant uniquement sur les signes cliniques, sans utiliser un test de laboratoire complémentaire. Les vétérinaires ont signalé que les coûts et les responsabilités en matière de gestion étaient les principales préoccupations de leurs clients liées au traitement à long terme de cette maladie, ce qui indique un besoin d’options de traitement supplémentaires pour DHME.(Traduit par Docteur Serge Messier).
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Publication Date: 2017-10-31 PubMed ID: 29081583PubMed Central: PMC5644449
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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 article focuses on a study aiming to understand how the diagnosis and treatment of equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) differ by geographic location. The study also reports on the prevalence of PPID in horses as observed by veterinarians across different regions.

Research Methodology

  • The research involved conducting an online questionnaire for veterinarians who treat horses. The questionnaire was widely circulated among veterinary associations, with a special focus on equine specialty subgroups.
  • Responses to the survey were collected from 426 separate clinics situated in 20 different countries, making the study truly international.
  • Generalized linear models were utilized to examine if the method of diagnosis and treatment of PPID, as well as its reported prevalence, varied by different geographical regions.

Research Findings

  • Results showed that the diagnosis of PPID varied by region. Typically, diagnosis was based on clinical signs along with an auxiliary endocrine test.
  • Among respondents, about 63% of veterinarians reported treating horses with PPID medically, and of these, 75% used pergolide mesylate as the treatment. This reveals pergolide mesylate to be the preferred treatment for PPID among vets.
  • Estimates for the median prevalence of PPID were found to be about 1%, with no significant differences observed based on geographical location.
  • Half the responding veterinarians reported treating five or more animals suffering from PPID.

Geographic Differences and Other Observations

  • Findings indicated differences in approaches to diagnosing PPID based on geographic regions. European veterinarians were found to rely more on clinical signs alone without utilizing adjunct laboratory tests, contrasted with their counterparts in North America.
  • Veterinarians reported cost and management responsibilities as the primary concerns of their clients when it came to the long-term treatment of PPID. This observation flagged the need for exploring additional treatment options for PPID.

In conclusion, this international survey offers insights into how veterinarians approach the diagnosis and treatment of PPID across different geographical locations. The study also highlights significant concerns related to cost and management responsibilities tied to the condition’s long-term treatment, pointing to a need for more varied treatment options.

Cite This Article

APA
Carmalt JL, Waldner CL, Allen AL. (2017). Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction: An international survey of veterinarians’ approach to diagnosis, management, and estimated prevalence. Can J Vet Res, 81(4), 261-269.

Publication

Canadian journal of veterinary research = Revue canadienne de recherche veterinaire
ISSN: 1928-9022
NlmUniqueID: 8607793
Country: Canada
Language: English
Volume: 81
Issue: 4
Pages: 261-269

Researcher Affiliations

Carmalt, James L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Carmalt, Waldner) and Department of Veterinary Pathology (Allen), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
Waldner, Cheryl L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Carmalt, Waldner) and Department of Veterinary Pathology (Allen), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.
Allen, Andrew L
  • Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences (Carmalt, Waldner) and Department of Veterinary Pathology (Allen), Western College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Saskatchewan, 52 Campus Drive, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 5B4.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Data Collection
  • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horses
  • Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion / diagnosis
  • Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion / epidemiology
  • Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion / veterinary
  • Pituitary Gland, Intermediate / pathology
  • Risk Factors
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Veterinarians

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Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Kirkwood NC, Hughes KJ, Stewart AJ. Prospective Case Series of Clinical Signs and Adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH) Concentrations in Seven Horses Transitioning to Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID). Vet Sci 2022 Oct 17;9(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100572pubmed: 36288186google scholar: lookup
  2. Kirkwood NC, Hughes KJ, Stewart AJ. Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (PPID) in Horses. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 10;9(10).
    doi: 10.3390/vetsci9100556pubmed: 36288169google scholar: lookup
  3. Haffner JC, Neal DL, Hoffman RM, Grubbs ST. Plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration in horses decreases after freezing for 60 days. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019 Nov;31(6):856-858.
    doi: 10.1177/1040638719882374pubmed: 31646941google scholar: lookup
  4. Shepard KN, Haffner JC, Neal DL, Grubbs ST, Pearce GL. Effect of delayed plasma centrifugation on equine adrenocorticotropic hormone concentration. J Vet Diagn Invest 2019 Jul;31(4):585-587.
    doi: 10.1177/1040638719860877pubmed: 31246158google scholar: lookup
  5. Schott HC 2nd, Strachota JR, Marteniuk JV, Refsal KR. Long-Term Response of Equids With Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction to Treatment With Pergolide. J Vet Intern Med 2025 May-Jun;39(3):e70109.
    doi: 10.1111/jvim.70109pubmed: 40317948google scholar: lookup
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