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Equine veterinary journal2016; 49(3); 300-306; doi: 10.1111/evj.12606

Prospective cohort study evaluating risk factors for the development of pasture-associated laminitis in the United Kingdom.

Abstract: Certain individuals appear to be predisposed to recurrent pasture-associated laminitis. Previous studies have predominantly investigated risk factors only after disease occurrence. Objective: To investigate risk factors for pasture-associated laminitis prior to disease occurrence. Methods: Prospective cohort study. Methods: Non-laminitic ponies aged ≥7 years were recruited. Body condition score (BCS), height, weight, crest height and thickness were measured and an overnight dexamethasone suppression test performed. Plasma or serum adiponectin, leptin, triglyceride, basal insulin, insulin post-dexamethasone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), IGFBP-3, C-reactive protein, von Willebrand's factor, soluble E-selectin and P-selectin concentrations were assayed. Follow-up data were obtained from owners annually for 3 years to ascertain occurrences of veterinarian-diagnosed pasture-associated laminitis. Data were analysed by multivariate logistic regression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves analysis was performed for significant risk factors and cut-off values determined. Results: A total of 446 animals with a median (interquartile range) age of 15 (10-20) years were recruited. Of these, 50.4% were mares and 49.6% were geldings. The most common breeds were Welsh (36.4%), Shetland (17.0%) and cob (9.4%). Overall, 72.2% of animals were overweight/obese (BCS 7-9/9), 27.3% were of ideal weight (BCS 4-6/9) and 0.5% were underweight (BCS 1-3/9). After 1, 2 and 3 years, respectively, 18 (4.0%), 30 (6.7%) and 44 (9.9%) animals were reported to have had laminitis. Plasma adiponectin, and serum basal (insulin) and (insulin) post-dexamethasone levels were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) associated with laminitis occurrence cumulatively after 1, 2 and 3 years. Use of the area under the ROC curves to distinguish animals that did and did not develop laminitis showed good (basal [insulin] after 1 year), fair (all others) or poor ([insulin] post-dexamethasone) levels of accuracy. Conclusions: Animals were evaluated at a single time point and biomarkers were assayed using single assays. Conclusions: Risk factors for future laminitis prior to disease occurrence include low plasma adiponectin and high serum basal insulin or insulin post-dexamethasone concentrations.
© 2016 EVJ Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2016-08-25 PubMed ID: 27363591DOI: 10.1111/evj.12606Google 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 investigates the predisposing factors for pasture-associated laminitis in ponies in the United Kingdom, prior to the occurrence of the disease. It determines that low plasma adiponectin and high serum basal insulin or insulin post-dexamethasone concentrations are potential risk factors for future laminitis.

Study Methodology

  • The study was a prospective cohort study where non-laminitic ponies aged ≥7 years were included for observation.
  • The body condition score (BCS), height, weight, crest height and thickness of each pony were measured and an overnight dexamethasone suppression test was performed.
  • Different types of plasma or serum markers were assayed, including adiponectin, leptin, triglyceride, basal insulin, insulin post-dexamethasone, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), IGF binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), IGFBP-3, C-reactive protein, von Willebrand’s factor, soluble E-selectin and P-selectin concentrations.
  • Owners were asked to report back annually for 3 years to record instances of pasture-associated laminitis diagnosed by veterinarians.

Results of the Study

  • The study found that out of the 446 animals observed, 18 (4.0%), 30 (6.7%), and 44 (9.9%) reportedly developed laminitis after 1, 2 and 3 years respectively.
  • 72.2% of the observed ponies were overweight or obese (BCS 7-9/9), which indicate that weight could be a potential risk factor for developing the disease.
  • Plasma adiponectin, and serum basal and post-dexamethasone insulin levels were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) associated with the occurrence of laminitis after 1, 2 and 3 years, suggesting these could be potential markers for predicting the risk of laminitis.

Conclusions of the Study

  • The research concluded that low plasma adiponectin and high serum basal insulin or insulin post-dexamethasone concentrations could be risk factors for future laminitis, before the disease occurs.
  • It also highlighted that the study was conducted at a single time point and single assays were used for assessing the biomarkers, which could have an impact on the study’s generalizability.

Cite This Article

APA
Menzies-Gow NJ, Harris PA, Elliott J. (2016). Prospective cohort study evaluating risk factors for the development of pasture-associated laminitis in the United Kingdom. Equine Vet J, 49(3), 300-306. https://doi.org/10.1111/evj.12606

Publication

Equine veterinary journal
ISSN: 2042-3306
NlmUniqueID: 0173320
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 49
Issue: 3
Pages: 300-306

Researcher Affiliations

Menzies-Gow, N J
  • Department of Clinical Sciences and Services, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.
Harris, P A
  • Equine Studies Group, Waltham Centre for Pet Nutrition, Waltham on the Wolds, UK.
Elliott, J
  • Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, London, UK.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Cohort Studies
  • Female
  • Foot Diseases / epidemiology
  • Foot Diseases / etiology
  • Foot Diseases / pathology
  • Foot Diseases / veterinary
  • Hoof and Claw / pathology
  • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
  • Horse Diseases / etiology
  • Horses
  • Inflammation / epidemiology
  • Inflammation / etiology
  • Inflammation / pathology
  • Inflammation / veterinary
  • Male
  • Risk Factors
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology

Citations

This article has been cited 37 times.
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