Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Questionnaire to track Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia
By Valentino, Amanda et al.·Published in Journal of veterinary internal medicine·2026·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Development and validation of the Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia evaluation: the CHASE questionnaire.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) showed signs of pain and itching that were hard to measure. Researchers created a questionnaire called the CHASE to help owners report these symptoms more accurately. In a study, dogs with CM/SM had much higher CHASE scores compared to healthy dogs, indicating more severe symptoms. When treated with pregabalin, a medication for nerve pain, their scores improved significantly, showing that the treatment was effective. This questionnaire can help vets better understand and manage these conditions in dogs.
People also search for: dog Chiari-like malformation symptoms · syringomyelia treatment for dogs · pregabalin for dog pain
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Chiari-like malformation (CM) and syringomyelia (SM) in dogs are associated with signs of neuropathic pain and itch, which are difficult to quantify reliably. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Develop and validate the Chiari-like malformation and syringomyelia evaluation (CHASE) questionnaire to quantify owners' assessments of clinical signs of CM/SM in their dogs. ANIMALS: Twenty client-owned healthy dogs and 30 CM/SM affected dogs. METHODS: The CHASE questionnaire was developed using an iterative sampling design, reliability and normal scores were established in healthy dogs. A double-blinded, randomized, crossover study design was conducted using pregabalin and placebo, with CHASE as the primary outcome. Physical and neurologic examinations, activity monitors, quantitative sensory testing (QST), and quality of life assessments (QOL) were performed alongside the CHASE questionnaire at each time point. RESULTS: Baseline CHASE scores were significantly higher in CM/SM dogs compared with healthy dogs (15.3 ± 4.8 vs. 1.4 ± 1.8; P < .01), with score ranges of 6-24 and 0-6, respectively. The CHASE scores in CM/SM dogs were moderately repeatable from screening (15.1 ± 4.4) to baseline (15.1 ± 4.7) and decreased significantly with pregabalin compared with baseline and placebo (P < 0.001 and P < 0.03). The questionnaire had strong internal consistency (α = 0.89) and differentiated pregabalin from placebo with 63% sensitivity and 76% specificity (area under the curve = 0.67). No significant differences in QOL, QST, or activity levels were identified. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: We validated the use of the CHASE questionnaire to quantify clinical signs associated with CM/SM and distinguish treatment outcomes when other assessments failed.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41742505/