Epidemiological investigation of insulin dysregulation in Shetland and Welsh ponies in Australia

Background: Insulin dysregulation (ID) is central to equine metabolic syndrome. There are limited epidemiological studies investigating dynamic testing of ID in ponies. Objectives: To evaluate prevalence and risk factors for ID through dynamic testing of hyperinsulinaemia (DHI) and insulin resistance (IR). Study design: Cross-sectional. Methods: Sex, age, breed, height, cresty neck score (CNS), body condition score (BCS), laminitis, HMGA2:c.83G>A genotype and pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID) status were documented. Dynamic hyperinsulinaemia was diagnosed with an oral sugar test (OST) and IR with an insulin tolerance test (ITT). Owners completed surveys reporting activity, laminitis history and perception of body condition using a (1–9) visual analogue scale (VASo). Ordinal scores were converted to binary outcomes for CNS (≤2/5 or ≥3/5), BCS and VASo (≤6/9 or ≥7/9). Variables associated with insulin concentrations, glucose reduction after the ITT and laminitis were evaluated with mixed effects regression models accounting for random effects of farms. Results: Among 167 ponies tested, median (range) age was 9 (4–21) years and BCS was 6 (4–8). Prevalence (95% confidence interval [CI]) of ID was 61 (53–68)%. Factors associated with insulin concentrations (estimate [95% CI]; μIU/mL) 60 min post-OST were: age (1.07 [1.02–1.11]), CNS (≥3/5, 1.52 [1.04–2.23]) and VASo (≥7/9, 1.75 [1.09–2.79]); and 90 min post-OST were: age (1.08 [1.03–1.12]), CNS (≥3/5, 1.80 [1.22–2.64]), VASo (≥7/9, 2.49 [1.52–4.08]) and sex (male, 0.64 [0.45–0.91]). Factors associated with glucose reduction after the ITT (estimate [95% CI]; %) were: age (−1.34 [−2.01 to −0.67]), sex (female, −6.21 [−11.68 to −0.74]) and VASo (≥7/9, −1.74 [−18.89 to −4.78]). Factors associated with laminitis (odds ratio [95% CI]) were DHI (4.60 [1.68–12.58]), IR (3.66 [1.26–10.61]) and PPID (11.75 [1.54–89.40]). Main limitations: Single time-point sampling, laminitis definition and diet analysis. Conclusions: Ageing, being female and owner-perceived obesity were associated with ID.