Frequency of equine laminitis: a systematic review with quality appraisal of published evidence.
Abstract: Equine laminitis is a highly debilitating disease of the foot. Despite its perceived importance, epidemiological characteristics are poorly understood and the true frequency of the disease remains unclear. The objective of this study was to retrospectively assess previous research to identify publications which provide the best evidence of the frequency of naturally-occurring equine laminitis. A systematic review of English language publications was conducted using MEDLINE (1950-2010), CAB Direct (1910-2010) and IVIS (1997-2010). Additional publications were included by searching bibliographies. Search terms included laminitis, equine, frequency, prevalence and incidence. Studies that allowed frequency estimations to be made for naturally-occurring equine laminitis were included. Information was extracted using predefined data fields, including 13 study quality indicators. Sixty-nine publications were appraised. Ten were considered to provide the most reliable information, estimating the frequency of equine laminitis ranging from 1.5% to 34%. Previous publications estimating laminitis frequency were generally poor quality. Laminitis frequency varied across publications however the publications included in this review focussed on many of the different underlying laminitis aetiologies and comparison of the frequencies between groups would be inappropriate. High-quality evidence-based studies are needed to estimate the true disease frequency in different equine populations.
Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2011-06-12 PubMed ID: 21665498DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.04.014Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
- Systematic Review
Summary
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This research article aims to identify the true frequency of equine laminitis – a severe foot disease in horses – through a systematic review of past research and data. The study discovered that existing estimates range from 1.5% to 34% with a general lack of high-quality evidence to support these figures.
Methodology
As a part of the systematic review, the researchers conducted a detailed search of three databases – MEDLINE (from 1950 to 2010), CAB Direct (from 1910 to 2010) and IVIS (from 1997 to 2010). They further augmented their analysis by scouring through bibliographies for additional useful publications. The search terms utilized included “laminitis”, “equine”, “frequency”, “prevalence”, and “incidence”.
- The researchers included only those studies that allowed frequency estimations for naturally-occurring equine laminitis.
- A total of 69 publications were scrutinized for this study, with data being extracted according to 13 predefined quality indicators.
Findings
The study found that out of the 69 publications reviewed, only 10 were deemed as providing reliable information. These 10 publications provided a frequency range between 1.5% – 34% for equine laminitis.
- The quality of the remaining publications was generally poor and didn’t provide any substantial information for determining the disease frequency.
- Even though laminitis frequency varied across these reviewed publications, it’s important to bear in mind that these publications investigated different underpinning causes of laminitis, hence direct comparison of frequency across groups may be misleading.
Conclusion
The research concludes by stating the need for high-quality evidence-based studies to estimate the true disease frequency within various equine populations. Given the debilitating nature of equine laminitis and its direct impact on the quality of life of equines, accurate estimates are instrumental in developing effective preventive and treatment strategies.
Cite This Article
APA
Wylie CE, Collins SN, Verheyen KL, Richard Newton J.
(2011).
Frequency of equine laminitis: a systematic review with quality appraisal of published evidence.
Vet J, 189(3), 248-256.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2011.04.014 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Epidemiology Department, Centre for Preventive Medicine, Animal Health Trust, Lanwades Park, Kentford, Newmarket, Suffolk, UK. claire.wylie@aht.org.uk
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Foot Diseases / epidemiology
- Foot Diseases / pathology
- Foot Diseases / physiopathology
- Foot Diseases / veterinary
- Hoof and Claw / pathology
- Hoof and Claw / physiopathology
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / pathology
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Incidence
- Prevalence
- Research Design / standards
Citations
This article has been cited 12 times.- Akinniyi OO, Sackey AKB, Ochube GE, Mshelia PW, Musa FA, Elijah MO, Jolayemi KO. Occurrence of equine metabolic syndrome, clinical manifestations, and associated risk factors in Nigeria. J Equine Sci 2023 Jun;34(2):29-35.
- Lykkjen S, Stenbakk LK, Holmøy IH. Prevalence and risk factors for laminitis within the Norwegian pony breed Nordlandshest/Lyngshest. Acta Vet Scand 2023 Jun 16;65(1):22.
- Senderska-Płonowska M, Siwińska N, Zak-Bochenek A, Rykała M, Słowikowska M, Madej JP, Kaleta-Kuratewicz K, Niedźwiedź A. The Differences in Histoarchitecture of Hoof Lamellae between Obese and Lean Draft Horses. Animals (Basel) 2022 Jul 11;12(14).
- Peng S, Bellone R, Petersen JL, Kalbfleisch TS, Finno CJ. Successful ATAC-Seq From Snap-Frozen Equine Tissues. Front Genet 2021;12:641788.
- Ribitsch I, Oreff GL, Jenner F. Regenerative Medicine for Equine Musculoskeletal Diseases. Animals (Basel) 2021 Jan 19;11(1).
- Carslake HB, Pinchbeck GL, McGowan CM. Equine metabolic syndrome in UK native ponies and cobs is highly prevalent with modifiable risk factors. Equine Vet J 2021 Sep;53(5):923-934.
- Campolo A, Frantz MW, de Laat MA, Hartson SD, Furr MO, Lacombe VA. Differential Proteomic Expression of Equine Cardiac and Lamellar Tissue During Insulin-Induced Laminitis. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:308.
- Glencorse D, Plush K, Hazel S, D'Souza D, Hebart M. Impact of Non-Confinement Accommodation on Farrowing Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Farrowing Crates Versus Pens. Animals (Basel) 2019 Nov 12;9(11).
- Morgan RA, Keen JA, Walker BR, Hadoke PW. Vascular Dysfunction in Horses with Endocrinopathic Laminitis. PLoS One 2016;11(9):e0163815.
- Reisinger N, Dohnal I, Nagl V, Schaumberger S, Schatzmayr G, Mayer E. Fumonisin B₁ (FB₁) Induces Lamellar Separation and Alters Sphingolipid Metabolism of In Vitro Cultured Hoof Explants. Toxins (Basel) 2016 Mar 24;8(4):89.
- Morgan R, Keen J, McGowan C. Equine metabolic syndrome. Vet Rec 2015 Aug 15;177(7):173-9.
- Moaby I, Aitken A, Varga S. Scientific Evidence and Common Perceptions of Factors Affecting Sugar Content in Pasture Grass: Is There a Link With Pre-existing Horse-Related Experience?. Vet Med Sci 2026 Jan;12(1):e70778.
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