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Equine veterinary journal2023; doi: 10.1111/evj.13985

Gastroscopic characterisation and prevalence of gastric ulcer syndrome in working mules in Colombia.

Calixto-Vega, LC
·
Martu00ednez-Aranzales, JR

Abstract: The existing literature does not contain information about the prevalence of gastric ulcers in mules, and on the potential associations between the presence of ulcers and work load, work type, diet, sex, age and body condition score (BCS). Objective: To estimate the prevalence and factors associated with mule gastric ulcer syndrome (MGUS) and evaluate its distribution in both mule squamous gastric disease (MSGD) and mule glandular gastric disease (MGGD) mucosa in a population of mules in Colombia. Methods: Observational, cross-sectional. Methods: A total of 97 clinically healthy mules of different ages and locations in the province of Antioquia (Colombia) were included in this study. The mules were involved in agricultural activities (i.e., riding, pack and ranch mules) at the time of the study. The animals underwent gastroscopic evaluation, and ulcer scores from 0 to 4 were assigned based on severity, with scores ≥2 indicating clinical relevance. The presence or absence of ulcer in the squamous and/or glandular region of the stomach was recorded. Data related to work type, work load and diet, as well as sex, age and BCS were recorded for each mule. Pearson's chi-square test was used to determine the association between the outcomes and explanatory variables of the study (p ≤ 0.05). The results of the risk estimations were presented as odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: The frequency of MGUS in the study population was 42%. Most of the lesions were located in the squamous region of the stomach (27%), mainly in the margo plicatus, and 20% were located in the glandular region, mainly in the fundus and pyloric antrum. Six animals showed lesions in both squamous and glandular regions. Work load was the only variable associated with the presence of MGUS (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 0.49-0.96) and MSGD (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 0.36-0.67). Nevertheless, the findings did not provide any significant risk assessment result, nor did they reveal any significant interactions among the other variables. Conclusions: This study used convenience sampling from a limited geographic region, and multivariate analysis was not performed, one of the exclusion criteria was the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, which means that the effect of these drugs can no longer be evaluated. Conclusions: MGUS occurs in mules subjected to agricultural work, the risk factors associated with EGUS do not appear to be significant in mules and other equids subjected to the same conditions, in this region. Further research is needed to define the differential dynamics of MGUS in comparison with the findings in horses. Unassigned: La literatura existente no contiene información sobre la prevalencia de úlceras gástricas en mulas, y sobre las potenciales asociaciones entre la presencia de ulceras y carga de trabajo, tipo de trabajo, dieta, sexo, edad y score de condición corporal (BCS). Objective: Estimar la prevalencia y factores asociados con síndrome de ulceración gástrica en mulas (MGUS) y evaluar su distribución tanto en la mucosa escamosa (MSGD) como glandular (MGGD) en una población de mulas en Colombia. DISEÑO DE ESTUDIO: Este estudio descriptivo observacional, seccional fue llevado a cabo por muestreo de conveniencia basado en estimación mínima de muestreo y una definición a priori con criterios de inclusión y exclusión. MÉTODOS: un total de 97 mulas clínicamente sanas de diferentes edades y localidades en la provincia de Antoquia (Colombia) fueron incluidas en este estudio. Las mulas estaban involucradas en actividades agrícolas (ie. monta, carga o rancho) en el momento de este estudio. Se les hizo una evaluación gastroscópica, se les dio un score de 0 a 4 basado en la severidad, con un score ≥2 indicando relevancia clínica. La presencia o ausencia de ulceras en la región escamosa y/o glandular del estomago fue anotada. Información relacionada con el tipo de trabajo, carga de trabajo y dieta, además del sexo, edad (joven, adulto, geriátrico), y el score de condición corporal fueron anotadas para cada mula. La prueba de Chi-cuadrado de Pearson fue usada para determinar la asociación entre los resultados y las variables explicativas del estudio (p ≤ 0.05). Los resultados de las estimaciones de riesgo fueron presentado como odds-ratios (ORs) con 95% de intervalo de confianza (CI). Results: La frecuencia de MGUS en la población del estudio fue de 42%. Las mayoría de las lesiones fueron localizadas en la porción escamosa del estómago (27%), principalmente en el margo plicatus, y 20% fueron halladas en le región glandular, principalmente en el fondo y el antro pilórico. Seis animales presentaron lesiones en ambas regiones escamosa y glandular. La carga de trabajo estuvo variablemente asociada a la presencia de MGUS (OR: 1.98; 95% CI: 0.49-0.96) y MSGD (OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 0.36-0.67). Sin embargo, los hallazgos no proporcionaron resultados significativos de análisis de riesgo, y no revelaron ningunas interacciones entre las otras variables. Unassigned: Este estudio utilizó muestreo de conveniencia de una región geográfica limitada, y no se llevaron a cabo análisis multivariados, un criterio de exclusión fue el uso de anti inflamatorios no esteroidales, lo que quiere decir que el efecto de estos fármacos ya no puede ser evaluado. Conclusions: MGUS ocurren en mulas haciendo trabajo agrícola, los factores de riesgo asociados a EGUS no parecen ser significativos en mulas y otros equinos sujetos a las mismas condiciones en esta región. Mas investigación es necesaria para definir la dinámica que diferencia a MGUS en comparación a los hallazgos en caballos.

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Publication Date: 2023-08-09 PubMed ID: 37559426DOI: 10.1111/evj.13985Google Scholar: Lookup

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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 study focuses on examining the prevalence and characteristics of gastric ulcers, referred to as mule gastric ulcer syndrome (MGUS), in working mules in Columbia. This study also attempts to figure out possible factors contributing to this health condition in mules.

Research Methodology

The study is observational and cross-sectional in nature. It involved 97 clinically healthy working mules across various locations within the province of Antioquia (Colombia).
These mules were engaged in agricultural tasks, such as riding, packing and ranch work.
A gastroscopic evaluation was done on each of these animals and ulcer scores, ranging from 0 to 4, were given based on the severity of the ulcer. Scores greater than or equal to 2 signaled clinical relevance- indicating worrisome ulcer conditions.
Researchers noted the presence or absence of ulcer in the squamous (flat and scale-like) and/or glandular (gland-producing) region of the stomach.
Various variables were recorded for each mule, including work type, workload, diet, sex, age, and Body Condition Score (BCS) – a measure of an animal’s overall physical wellbeing.
The Pearson’s chi-square test was employed to figure out the association between the ulcer occurrence and the recorded variables.

Findings of the Study

The occurrence of MGUS was found to be 42% in the studied mule population. Most lesions were located in the squamous region (27%), primarily in the margo plicatus area. About 20% of the lesions were in the glandular region, often in the fundus and pyloric antrum sections.
Workload emerged as a single significant variable linked with the occurrence of MGUS and mule squamous gastric disease (MSGD).
The research didn’t give substantial risk assessment results, nor did it reveal any significant interactions among the other recorded variables.

Conclusions and Implications

The research underlines the occurrence of MGUS in working mules and points to workload as a significant variable linked to MGUS and MSGD. However, other risk factors associated with gastric ulcers appear to be insignificant in mules and other equines working under similar conditions in this Columbian region.
However, the study has a scope limitation as it used convenience sampling from a restricted geographic area and didn’t perform a multivariate analysis. Moreover, the impact of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs- a common medication with a known risk of causing gastric ulcers- could not be evaluated due to exclusion criteria.
Future research is suggested to understand the unique dynamics of MGUS compared to gastric ulcers in horses.

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APA

Calixto-Vega LC, Martu00ednez-Aranzales JR. (2023). Gastroscopic characterisation and prevalence of gastric ulcer syndrome in working mules in Colombia. Equine Vet J. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.13985

Publication

Equine veterinary journal

ISSN: 2042-3306

NlmUniqueID: 0173320

Country: United States

Language: English

Researcher Affiliations

Calixto-Vega, Lady C

Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Programa de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de La Salle, Bogotu00e1, Colombia.

Martu00ednez-Aranzales, Josu00e9 R

Line of Research in Equine Medicine and Surgery (LIMCE), Centauro Research Group, School of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Agrarian Sciences, University of Antioquia, Medellu00edn, Colombia.

Grant Funding

Research Development Committee, the Research Center of the Faculty of Agricultural Sciences (CIAG) and the CENTAURO Research Group, Universidad Antioquia, Colombia

References

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