Runge KE, Bak M, Vestergaard A, Staerk-Østergaard J, Jacobsen S, Pihl TH. Serum amyloid A does not predict non-survival in hospitalised adult horses with acute colitis.
Vet Rec 2023;
192:e2644. [PMID:
36780213 DOI:
10.1002/vetr.2644]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Predicting non-survival in horses with acute colitis improves early decision making. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prognostic value of serum amyloid A (SAA) and other clinicopathological and clinical variables in adult horses with acute colitis.
METHODS
Clinical variables, SAA and other blood biomarkers, including plasma L-lactate (lactate), were assessed in 176 horses with acute colitis. A multivariate model for the prediction of non-survival was constructed. Icelandic horses were analysed separately.
RESULTS
Admission SAA was similar in survivors (median 548 mg/L; range 0-5453 mg/L) and non-survivors (396 mg/L; 0-5294) (p = 0.43). A model for non-survival included year of admission, lactate, heart rate, age and colic duration of more than 24 hours. Icelandic horses had a relative risk of 2.9 (95% confidence interval = 2.2-3.8) for acute colitis compared to other breeds. Lactate in Icelandic horses was higher than that in other breeds in both survivors (4.0 mmol/L, range 1.0-12.7 vs. 2.0, 0.7-12.5) and non-survivors (10.0, 1.5-26 vs. 5.4, 0.8-22) (p < 0.001).
LIMITATIONS
The prognostic value of repeated measurements of SAA could not be assessed in this study, as 71% of the non-surviving horses died within a day of admission.
CONCLUSION
Admission SAA did not predict non-survival. Breed needs consideration when lactate is evaluated as a predictor for non-survival in horses with colitis.
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