Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Measuring mobility problems from joint disease in cats with meloxicam
By Gruen, Margaret E et al.·Published in PloS one·2015·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Criterion Validation Testing of Clinical Metrology Instruments for Measuring Degenerative Joint Disease Associated Mobility Impairment in Cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
A group of 66 older cats with degenerative joint disease (a common cause of joint pain) were treated with either a daily low dose of meloxicam (a pain relief medication) or a placebo for three weeks to see if it improved their mobility. The results showed that the cats receiving meloxicam were more active compared to when they were not receiving treatment. This suggests that meloxicam can help reduce pain and improve movement in cats with joint issues. The study also validated a tool called the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) for measuring pain in these cats.
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Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Degenerative joint disease and associated pain are common in cats, particularly in older cats. There is a need for treatment options, however evaluation of putative therapies is limited by a lack of suitable, validated outcome measures that can be used in the target population of client owned cats. The objectives of this study were to evaluate low-dose daily meloxicam for the treatment of pain associated with degenerative joint disease in cats, and further validate two clinical metrology instruments, the Feline Musculoskeletal Pain Index (FMPI) and the Client Specific Outcome Measures (CSOM). METHODS: Sixty-six client owned cats with degenerative joint disease and owner-reported impairments in mobility were screened and enrolled into a double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial. Following a run-in baseline period, cats were given either placebo or meloxicam for 21 days, then in a masked washout, cats were all given placebo for 21 days. Subsequently, cats were given the opposite treatment, placebo or meloxicam, for 21 days. Cats wore activity monitors throughout the study, owners completed clinical metrology instruments following each period. RESULTS: Activity counts were increased in cats during treatment with daily meloxicam (p<0.0001) compared to baseline. The FMPI results and activity count data offer concurrent validation for the FMPI, though the relationship between baseline activity counts and FMPI scores at baseline was poor (R2=0.034). The CSOM did not show responsiveness for improvement in this study, and the relationship between baseline activity counts and CSOM scores at baseline was similarly poor (R2=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Refinements to the FMPI, including abbreviation of the instrument and scoring as percent of possible score are recommended. This study offered further validation of the FMPI as a clinical metrology instrument for use in detecting therapeutic efficacy in cats with degenerative joint disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26162101/