Afonso João Sucena, Bruce Mieghan, Keating Patrick, Raboisson Didier, Clough Helen, Oikonomou George, Rushton Jonathan
Department of Livestock and One Health, Institute of Infection, Veterinary & Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
School of Veterinary Medicine, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, Australia.
Front Vet Sci. 2020 Aug 20;7:542. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00542. eCollection 2020.
Lameness is a serious concern in the dairy sector, reflecting its high incidence and impact on animal welfare and productivity. Research has provided figures on its frequency using different methodologies, making it difficult to compare results and hindering farm-level decision-making. The study's objectives were to determine the frequency levels of lameness in British dairy cattle through a meta-analysis approach, and to understand the chronological patterns of how lameness cases are detected and classified in scientific research. A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA-P guidelines for article selection. Random-effects models estimated the pooled frequency measure of lameness with heterogeneity managed through subgroup analysis and meta-regression. Sixty-eight papers were identified, 50 included prevalence and 36 incidence data. The pooled prevalence of lameness in British dairy cattle was estimated at 29.5% (95% CI 26.7-32.4%) whilst all-cause lameness incidence rate indicated 30.9 cases of lameness per 100 cow-years (95% CI 24.5-37.9). The pooled cause-specific lameness incidence rate per 100 cow-years was 66.1 (95% CI 24.1-128.8) for white line disease, 53.2 (95% CI 20.5-101.2) for sole ulcer, 53.6 (95% CI 19.2-105.34) for digital dermatitis, with 51.9 (95% CI 9.3-129.2) attributable to other lameness-related lesions. Heterogeneity levels remained high. Sixty-nine papers contributed to a chronological overview of lameness data source. Although the AHDB Dairy mobility scoring system (MSS) was launched in the UK in 2008 and adopted shortly after by the British Dairy sector as the standard tool for assessing lameness, other methods are used depending on the investigator. Automated lameness detection systems may offer a solution for the subjective nature of MSSs, yet it was utilized in one study only. Despite the recognition of under-reporting of lameness from farm records 22 (31.9%) studies used this data source. The diversity of lameness data collection methods and sources was a key finding. It limits the understanding of lameness burden and the refinement of policy making for lameness. Standardizing case definition and research methods would improve knowledge of and ability to manage lameness. Regardless of the measurement method lameness in British dairy cattle is high.
跛足是奶牛养殖业中一个严重问题，反映出其高发病率以及对动物福利和生产力的影响。研究采用不同方法给出了其发生频率的数据，这使得结果难以比较，并阻碍了农场层面的决策制定。该研究的目标是通过荟萃分析方法确定英国奶牛跛足的频率水平，并了解在科学研究中跛足病例的检测和分类的时间模式。使用PRISMA - P指南进行文献筛选的系统评价。随机效应模型估计了跛足的合并频率测量值，并通过亚组分析和元回归处理异质性。共识别出68篇论文，其中50篇包含患病率数据，36篇包含发病率数据。英国奶牛跛足的合并患病率估计为29.5%（95%置信区间26.7 - 32.4%），而全因跛足发病率表明每100头奶牛年有30.9例跛足（95%置信区间24.5 - 37.9）。每100头奶牛年白线病的特定病因跛足合并发病率为66.1（95%置信区间24.1 - 128.8），蹄底溃疡为53.2（95%置信区间20.5 - 101.2），趾间皮炎为53.6（95%置信区间19.2 - 105.34），其他与跛足相关病变导致的为51.9（95%置信区间9.3 - 129.2）。异质性水平仍然很高。69篇论文促成了跛足数据源的时间概述。尽管英国农业与园艺发展局（AHDB）奶牛移动性评分系统（MSS）于2008年在英国推出，并在不久后被英国奶牛业采用作为评估跛足的标准工具，但根据研究者不同还会使用其他方法。自动跛足检测系统可能为MSS的主观性提供解决方案，但仅在一项研究中被使用。尽管认识到农场记录中跛足报告不足，但22项（31.9%）研究使用了该数据源。跛足数据收集方法和来源的多样性是一个关键发现。它限制了对跛足负担的理解以及跛足相关政策制定的完善。标准化病例定义和研究方法将提高对跛足的认识和管理能力。无论测量方法如何，英国奶牛的跛足发生率都很高。
