Ross S E, Murray J K, Roberts V L H
School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Somerset, UK.
Equine Vet J. 2018 Jan;50(1):73-78. doi: 10.1111/evj.12708. Epub 2017 Jul 6.
Headshaking in horses has been reported to be most commonly due to idiopathic neuropathic facial pain (trigeminal-mediated headshaking). The prevalence of headshaking in horses in the UK is unknown.
To estimate owner-reported prevalence of headshaking in horses in the UK and to report their case background and disease characteristics, as reported by owners.
Cross-sectional web based owner questionnaire.
The questionnaire was advertised online via social media, horse forums, veterinary websites and equestrian magazines from 17th June 2016, until >1000 responses had been obtained. All UK horse owners were eligible to complete the questionnaire, however only one questionnaire could be completed per owner.
The estimated prevalence of owner-reported headshaking in the sample population of horses (n = 1014), within the last year, was 4.6% (95% confidence interval 3.5-6.1), whereas 6.2% (95% confidence interval 4.9-7.9) of horses were reported by their owners to have shown signs of headshaking at any time-point since ownership. There was no association of sex or breed. Nineteen percent of headshaking horses were reported to show headshaking at rest. Fewer than one-third (30.2%, n = 19) of headshaking horses had been examined by a veterinarian for headshaking. Of horses seen by a veterinarian, the cause for headshaking remained unknown in the majority of cases (57.9% responses) and trigeminal-mediated headshaking was reported as a diagnosis in just one case.
The accuracy in data reporting by horse owners was not verified in this study. There may be a potential for bias towards over-reporting due to the nature of survey participation.
Within this sample, owner-reported prevalence of signs of headshaking within the last year, in horses in the UK was 4.6%. Over two-thirds of owners of headshaking horses did not seek veterinary intervention for headshaking. Trigeminal-mediated headshaking was rarely reported by owners as a diagnosis.
据报道，马匹摇头最常见的原因是特发性神经性面部疼痛（三叉神经介导的摇头）。英国马匹摇头的患病率尚不清楚。
估计英国马匹主人报告的马匹摇头患病率，并报告主人所描述的病例背景和疾病特征。
基于网络的横断面主人问卷调查。
问卷于2016年6月17日通过社交媒体、马匹论坛、兽医网站和马术杂志在网上发布，直至获得超过1000份回复。所有英国马匹主人均有资格填写问卷，但每位主人只能填写一份问卷。
在样本马匹群体（n = 1014）中，主人报告的过去一年里马匹摇头的估计患病率为4.6%（95%置信区间3.5 - 6.1），而主人报告自拥有马匹以来在任何时间点有摇头迹象的马匹为6.2%（95%置信区间4.9 - 7.9）。摇头与性别或品种无关。据报告，19%的摇头马匹在休息时会摇头。不到三分之一（30.2%，n = 19）的摇头马匹因摇头接受过兽医检查。在接受兽医检查的马匹中，大多数情况下（57.9%的回复）摇头原因仍不明，仅1例报告诊断为三叉神经介导的摇头。
本研究未验证马匹主人数据报告的准确性。由于调查参与的性质，可能存在报告过度的潜在偏差。
在该样本中，英国马匹主人报告的过去一年里有摇头迹象的患病率为4.6%。超过三分之二的摇头马匹主人未因摇头寻求兽医干预。主人很少报告三叉神经介导的摇头为诊断结果。
