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Home / Equine Research Bank / Journal / Monitoring acute equine visceral pain with the Equine Utrech...
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Monitoring acute equine visceral pain with the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Composite Pain Assessment (EQUUS-COMPASS) and the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP): A validation study.

Abstract: This study presents the validation of two recently described pain scales, the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Composite Pain Assessment (EQUUS-COMPASS) and the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP), in horses with acute colic. A follow-up cohort study of 46 adult horses (n = 23 with acute colic; n = 23 healthy control horses) was performed for validation and refinement of the constructed scales. Both pain scales showed statistically significant differences between horses with colic and healthy control horses, and between horses with colic that could be treated conservatively and those that required surgical treatment or were euthanased. Sensitivity and specificity were good for both EQUUS-COMPASS (87% and 71%, respectively) and EQUUS-FAP (77% and 100%, respectively) and were not substantially influenced by applying weighting factors to the individual parameters.
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Publication Date: PubMed ID: 27687948
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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.

This research study is focused on validating two pain assessment scales — the EQUUS-COMPASS and EQUUS-FAP — in evaluating acute visceral pain in horses, particularly those suffering from colic. Both scales showed significant differences in their results between healthy and colic-affected horses, as well as within the colic group based on treatment method, demonstrating good sensitivity and specificity.

Study Aim and Methodology

  • This study aimed to validate the EQUUS-COMPASS and EQUUS-FAP, two pain assessment scales for horses.
  • The validation process considered their application to horses dealing with acute bouts of colic, a common equine condition characterized by severe abdominal discomfort.
  • 46 adult horses participated in the study, equally divided among acute colic cases and healthy control subjects.

EQUUS-COMPASS and EQUUS-FAP

  • As novel tools, the EQUUS-COMPASS and EQUUS-FAP seek to provide robust and accurate assessments of pain in horses.
  • EQUUS-COMPASS calculates its results based on a composite of different pain parameters, while EQUUS-FAP focuses particularly on facial expressions indicative of pain.

Validation Results

  • Both EQUUS-COMPASS and EQUUS-FAP were able to distinguish between healthy horses and those suffering from colic. The difference between these groups was statistically significant, providing confidence in the reliability of these scales.
  • Similarly, these scales could differentiate among colic-afflicted horses based on their treatment protocol. Whether the horses could be treated conservatively or required surgery or euthanasia influenced the scales’ readings, further underlining their sensitivity to varying pain levels.

Sensitivity and Specificity

  • Sensitivity and specificity measure a test’s ability to correctly identify positives and negatives respectively.
  • The EQUUS-COMPASS scored 87% for sensitivity and 71% for specificity, indicating more false positives (healthy horses identified as having colic).
  • Conversely, the EQUUS-FAP displayed 77% sensitivity and an excellent 100% specificity, making it especially reliable in eliminating false positives.
  • Interestingly, the application of weighting factors to individual parameters did not significantly alter these scores, hinting at the robust nature of both scales.

Conclusion

  • Both EQUUS-COMPASS and EQUUS-FAP have proven their worth as valid, reliable tools for evaluating equine acute visceral pain.
  • Their accurate differentiation between healthy and colic-affected horses, as well as within the range of colic severity, shows promise for their usage in the field of equine care and treatment.

Cite This Article

APA
(). Monitoring acute equine visceral pain with the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Composite Pain Assessment (EQUUS-COMPASS) and the Equine Utrecht University Scale for Facial Assessment of Pain (EQUUS-FAP): A validation study. .

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Citations

This article has been cited 22 times.
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