Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Hyperadrenocorticism risk and prevalence in UK dogs 2009-2014
By O'Neill, D G et al.·Published in The Journal of small animal practice·2016·The Royal Veterinary College·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Epidemiology of hyperadrenocorticism among 210,824 dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in the UK from 2009 to 2014.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A study found that about 0.28% of dogs visiting primary-care vets in the UK were diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism, a condition where the body produces too much cortisol. Certain breeds, like bichon frises, were found to be at a higher risk, as well as older dogs (12 years and up) and those weighing more than their breed average. Insured dogs were also more likely to be diagnosed with this condition compared to those without insurance. Understanding these risk factors can help vets diagnose and manage hyperadrenocorticism more effectively.
People also search for: bichon frise hyperadrenocorticism symptoms · dog cortisol treatment · older dog health issues
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To estimate prevalence and risk factors for diagnosis with hyperadrenocorticism in dogs attending primary-care veterinary practices in the UK from 2009 to 2014. METHODS: Cases were identified by searching the de-identified electronic patient records from UK primary-care veterinary practices participating in the VetCompass Programme. RESULTS: The estimated prevalence for hyperadrenocorticism diagnosis in dogs was 0·28% (95% confidence interval: 0·25 to 0·31). Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed four associated risk factors: breed, breed-relative bodyweight, age and insurance status. The bichon frise had 6·5 times the odds (95% CI: 3·5 to 12·1, P<0·001) of hyperadrenocorticism compared with crossbreds. Dogs weighing more than or equal to their breed mean had 1·7 times the odds (95% CI: 1·3 to 2·3, P<0·001) of hyperadrenocorticism compared with dogs weighing less than the breed mean. Dogs aged 12·0 years and above showed 5·7 times the odds (95% CI: 3·7 to 8·7, P<0·001) of hyperadrenocorticism compared with dogs aged 6·0 to 8·9 years. Insured dogs had 4·0 times the odds (95% CI: 2·8 to 5·6, P<0·001) of hyperadrenocorticism compared with non-insured dogs. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first epidemiological report of a non-referral hospital population of dogs diagnosed with hyperadrenocorticism in the UK and describes important breed, age and bodyweight associations with this disorder which may improve diagnosis and enhance understanding of the underlying pathophysiology.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27279104/