Recognition and Breed Specificity of Canine Spondyloarthropathy

Abstract

Human diseases sometimes represented across phylogenetic lines. Their recognition is at times compromised by differential (between human and veterinary medicine) use of diagnostic terms. A major impetus to such change is recognition of additional treatment options that would not be considered for the replaced diagnosis/category. Canine syndesmophytes are recognized as identifier for spondyloarthropathy. This study examines the breed-specificity of those changes.The axial skeletons and peripheral joints (when available) of 1323 dogs, identified to breed, were examined for evidence of syndesmophytes and sacroiliac joint disease.Syndesmophytes were found in 315 of 1323 axial skeletons examined, extremely common in Boxer and German Shephard; rare, in Beagle, Chihauahua, Dachshund, Maltese and Pug. First noted at 2 years of age, its prevalence increased geometrically over the next 13 years. All affected individuals weighed more than 2 kilograms and prevalence increased geometrically through 39.9 kilograms. Spondyloarthropathy was present in 17.3% of brachycephalic, contrasted with 35.0% of mesticephalic dogs [Chi square = 16.972, p < 0.0001].Presence of syndesmophytes identified the underlying arthritis as spondyloarthropathy, not osteoarthritis. Recognition of the vertebral findings as characteristic of this inflammatory arthritis affords an opportunity for controlling the disease process and improving quality of life of the afflicted dog.

Transcending human spondyloarthritis: Implications of the ecologic record from the Permian to the present

“…Increased population density and social contact, longevity, increased consumption of food resources (with related increase in infectious agent exposure), increased fecal contamination related to extended ground or water contact would support and infectious origin of disease [54][55][56][57][58][59][60][61][62], but none were found. Similar evaluation of domestic canids (dogs) revealed only size/mass as a correlate with prevalence of spondyloarthropathy [63,64], but with significant breed variation-without obvious explanation: Chondrodsplastic (e.g., dachshund) were more commonly affected than non-chondrodysplastic (e.g., boxer, Doberman) dogs; sporting dogs (e.g., golden retriever), more than non-sporting (e.g., chow chow, bulldog) and hounds (e.g, beagle). Approximately onefourth of sporting dogs, terriers and toy dogs (e.g., pug, shih tsu) are affected.…”

Diagnostic Considerations in Evaluation of Back Complaints

“…The most caudal aspect of the axial skeleton is the sacrum and its articulation with the ilium. That joint has featured prominently in directing attention to the possibility of spondyloarthropathy [89,90]. Spondyloarthropathy-related sacroiliac erosions must be distinguished from those produced by infectious processes (e.g., tuberculosis) and from developmental phenomena.…”

The Lumping/Splitting Conversation Related to Fibromyalgia in Rheumatology: Does It Matter?

“…The lumper/splitter controversy in recognition of rheumatoid arthritis has seemingly been resolved in favor of the latter by identified biomechanical, biochemical, imaging and epidemiological parameters and studies of the record of inflammatory arthritis in non-humans [23][24][25][26][27]. Characteristics (e.g., joint fusion in the absence of corticosteroid therapy) that are distinctly unusual, if occurring at all, in rheumatoid arthritis facilitate the identification of an individual as not actually having that disease [25][26][27][28][29]. So, too, it is time for reevaluation of our application of the appellation, fibromyalgia.…”