Lack of Association Between Barometric Pressure and Incidence of Colic in Equine Academic Ambulatory Practice.
Abstract: Anecdotal accounts correlate equine colic onset to changing weather conditions; however, atmospheric effects on colic have not been studied extensively. We hypothesized that changes in barometric pressure would increase the likelihood of a colic diagnosis compared with other noncolic sick events. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to look for associations between colic diagnosis and barometric pressure. The University of Pennsylvania Field Service electronic medical records were searched by identifiable examination type via billing procedure codes collecting 3,108 emergent and nonemergent medical events along with corresponding weather data from the National Weather Service from January 1, 2005, through January 1, 2017. Barometric pressure values and changes were not found to be statistically associated with a diagnosis of colic (P = .1). Horses that did not survive were almost 12 times more likely to have a diagnosis of colic (odds ratio [OR]: 11.97; P < .0001). Horses with disease recurrence were 30% more likely to have a diagnosis of colic (OR: 1.29; P = .006). The likelihood of colic diagnosis increased with increasing latitude (OR: 2.43; P = .04). Horses were more likely to be diagnosed with colic in the fall (OR: 1.72; P < .0001), spring (OR: 1.29; P = .04), and summer (OR: 1.85; P < .0001), compared with winter. Stallions were 48% less likely to colic compared with mares (OR: 0.52; P = .016) and Quarter Horses were 32% less likely to colic compared with Thoroughbreds and Arabians (OR: 0.68; P = .047). This study provided evidence that changes in barometric pressure were not a contributing risk factor for colic, although seasons with changing weather and latitude may play a role.
Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2020-12-04 PubMed ID: 33478758DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103342Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Clinical Pathology
- Clinical Signs
- Clinical Study
- Colic
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Etiology
- Disease Management
- Disease Prevention
- Disease Surveillance
- Disease Treatment
- Epidemiology
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Equine Science
- Horses
- Veterinary Care
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Practice
- Veterinary Research
Summary
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The study investigates the link between barometric pressure changes and the incidence of colic in horses, concluding that atmospheric pressure fluctuations are not a crucial risk factor, unlike other factors like weather seasons and latitude.
Research Methodology
- The research was carried out by analyzing the University of Pennsylvania Field Service electronic medical records.
- The information about over 3,108 medical emergencies involving horses was collected from January 1, 2005, to January 1, 2017.
- Along with this, the corresponding weather data was also obtained from the National Weather Service.
- A multivariable logistic regression analysis was then used to find any association between a colic diagnosis and barometric pressure changes.
Key Findings
- The main finding was there was no statistical association between alterations in barometric pressure and the diagnosis of colic in horses.
- However, horses that didn’t survive were found to be 12 times more likely to have a colic diagnosis.
- Horses with disease recurrence were found to be 30% more likely to be diagnosed with colic.
- The study also discovered that the likelihood of a colic diagnosis increased with amplifying latitude.
- Seasonal changes also play a big role, as horses were more likely to be diagnosed with colic in the fall, spring, and summer seasons as compared to the winter.
- Contrary to common belief, Stallions were found to be 48% less likely to suffer from colic in comparison to mares. Also, Quarter Horses were 32% less likely to have colic compared to Thoroughbreds and Arabians.
Conclusion
- The study concluded that changes in barometric pressure don’t significantly contribute to the risk of colic in horses.
- However, elements such as shifting seasons and latitude have potential roles to play in colic diagnosis.
- This research challenges any anecdotal belief that changing weather conditions directly lead to an onset of colic in horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Cianci J, Boyle AG, Stefanovski D, Biddle AS.
(2020).
Lack of Association Between Barometric Pressure and Incidence of Colic in Equine Academic Ambulatory Practice.
J Equine Vet Sci, 97, 103342.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2020.103342 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE; Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA. Electronic address: boylea@vet.upenn.edu.
- Department of Clinical Studies, New Bolton Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Kennett Square, PA.
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Delaware, Newark, DE.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Atmospheric Pressure
- Colic / epidemiology
- Colic / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Incidence
- Male
- Weather
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Straticò P, Varasano V, Palozzo A, Guerri G, Celani G, Revelant O, Petrizzi L. Retrospective Study on Risk Factors and Short-Term Outcome of Horses Referred for Colic from 2016 to 2022. Vet Sci 2022 Oct 3;9(10).
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