Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Prevalence of gastric squamous ulceration in horses with abdominal pain.
- Journal:
- Equine veterinary journal
- Year:
- 2006
- Authors:
- Dukti, S A et al.
- Affiliation:
- Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital · United States
- Species:
- horse
Plain-English summary
In a study of horses experiencing abdominal pain, researchers looked at how common gastric ulceration (sores in the stomach) was among them. They found that nearly half of the 100 horses examined had gastric ulcers, and those that responded well to medical treatment were more likely to have these ulcers compared to those needing surgery. Additionally, horses with a specific condition called duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (inflammation in the small intestine) showed a higher tendency for gastric ulcers than those with other gastrointestinal issues. Overall, while gastric ulceration was present in a moderate number of horses with abdominal pain, the exact importance of these ulcers in relation to their health remains uncertain, suggesting that more research is needed.
Abstract
REASONS FOR PERFORMING STUDY: Prevalence of gastric ulcerations differs widely according to breed and circumstances of management. Further study of the biological variables involved is required in order to identify more exactly the reasons for the reported range. OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this present study, which do not appear to have been addressed previously in the literature, were 1) the prevalence of gastric ulceration in horses with abdominal pain. 2) difference in prevalence in horses responding to medical therapy and those requiring surgical intervention. 3) whether gastric ulceration is associated with any particular gastrointestinal tract lesion. METHODS: Horses were included in the study if gastroscopy was performed within 24 h of presentation. The presence and grade of gastric ulceration was recorded together with the medical records. Data were analysed categorically using a Fisher's exact test or Chi-squared test. RESULTS: One hundred horses met the selection criteria. Forty-nine percent (49/100) of horses had gastric ulceration, 63% (63/100) responded to medical therapy and 37% (37/100) to surgical intervention, and prevalence was higher in the former (59%) than the latter (32%). Horses with duodenitis-proximal jejunitis (DPJ) had a trend towards higher prevalence of gastric ulceration compared to those with other GI lesions. Sixty-eight percent (13/19) of horses diagnosed with DPJ, 32% (8/25) with a large colon impaction and 14% (1/7) with large colon volvulus had gastric ulceration. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of gastric ulceration in all horses with abdominal pain was moderate. Horses responding to medical therapy had a higher prevalence of gastric ulceration compared to horses requiring surgery and there was a trend towards higher prevalence in cases of DPJ compared to other GI lesions. There was not a statistically significant difference in gastric ulceration detected between specific lesions, including large colon impactions and large colon volvulus. POTENTIAL RELEVANCE: The clinical relevance of ulceration is still unclear and further studies are required to differentiate between incidental and clinically important gastric ulceration.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16866203/