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Urinary concentration of corticoids in normal horses and horses with hyperadrenocorticism
J H van der Kolk1, H C Kalsbeek, T Wensing
1Department of Large Animal Medicine and Nutrition, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, The Netherlands.
Insights
The urinary corticoid to creatinine ratio can help diagnose hyperadrenocorticism in horses. However, this test alone is insufficient for confirming equine hyperadrenocorticism due to potential false results.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Endocrinology
- Equine Health
Background:
- Hyperadrenocorticism (HAC) is a common endocrine disorder in horses.
- Accurate diagnosis of equine HAC is crucial for timely treatment and improved outcomes.
- The urinary corticoid to creatinine ratio is a potential biomarker for HAC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of the urinary corticoid to creatinine ratio in horses with hyperadrenocorticism.
- To compare urinary corticoid and creatinine concentrations between horses with and without HAC.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of urinary corticoid to creatinine ratio in eight horses diagnosed with HAC.
- Comparison of results with seven healthy control horses.
- Analysis of urinary corticoid and creatinine concentrations.
Main Results:
- Horses with HAC exhibited a significantly higher mean urinary corticoid to creatinine ratio (29 x 10(-6)) compared to controls (11 x 10(-6)).
- Urinary corticoid concentrations were significantly elevated in horses with HAC (664 nmol litre-1) versus controls (201 nmol litre-1).
- Urinary creatinine concentrations did not significantly differ between the groups.
Conclusions:
- The urinary corticoid to creatinine ratio is elevated in horses with HAC.
- However, the test demonstrated both false negative and false positive results.
- The urinary corticoid to creatinine ratio should not be used as the sole diagnostic test for equine hyperadrenocorticism.
Abstract:
The urinary corticoid:creatinine (c:c) ratio was determined in eight horses with hyperadrenocorticism (HAC). The mean (+/- SD) urinary c:c ratio of the eight horses with HAC (29 +/- 14 x 10(-6)) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than the ratio in seven control horses (11 +/- 4.3 x 10(-6)). The urinary concentration of corticoids in control horses (201 +/- 60.4 nmol litre-1) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than in horses with HAC (664 +/- 291 nmol litre-1). The urinary creatinine concentrations did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between both groups. As both false negative and false positive cases were found, it is concluded that a measurement of the urinary c:c ratio in the horse should not be used as the sole test to confirm equine HAC.