Evaluation of a questionnaire to detect the risk of developing ESGD or EGGD in horses.

This research paper aims to validate the usefulness of a questionnaire in identifying horses at risk of developing Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) or Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD), both forms of Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS). The study evaluated the association between symptoms identified through the questionnaire and the presence of these diseases observed via gastroscopic examination.

Understanding EGUS, ESGD and EGGD

• Equine Gastric Ulcer Syndrome (EGUS) is a common condition affecting horses worldwide. It is characterized by the presence of lesions in the horse’s stomach lining.
• EGUS is now recognized as two separate diseases: Equine Squamous Gastric Disease (ESGD) and Equine Glandular Gastric Disease (EGGD), distinguished by where the lesions occur (squamous or glandular mucosa, respectively).
• Because gastroscopic examinations typically used in diagnosis can be costly, many horse owners start treatment based solely on observable clinical signs.

Purpose of the Study

• The main purpose of the study was to validate a questionnaire that could help detect the risk of a horse developing ESGD or EGGD.
• Ideally, such a tool should help horse owners identify potential risks earlier, thereby facilitating intervention and potentially mitigating the risks of their horses developing gastric lesions.

Methodology

• A questionnaire gathering information on risk factors for ESGD and EGGD was administered to the owners of 418 horses, all of whom were also undergoing gastroscopic evaluation.
• The horses were divided into three groups based on the results of the questionnaire and their calculated risk of developing gastric lesions.

Findings

• The questionnaire demonstrated limited effectiveness in detecting the presence and severity of gastric lesions as observed through gastroscopic examination.
• Nevertheless, some correlations were found between questionnaire responses and the development of gastric lesions.
• This suggests that, despite its limitations, the questionnaire could be a valuable tool in evaluating a horse’s risk of developing ESGD or EGGD.

Further Implications

• Having horse owners complete the questionnaire periodically could potentially make them more cognizant of changes in their horses’ conditions that may denote an increased risk of gastric lesions.
• Increased awareness could prompt horse owners to seek timely veterinary advice, enabling better management of the potential risk.