Reporting and interpreting statistical results in veterinary medicine: Calling for change
Understanding and correctly interpreting statistical results presented in scientific articles is a required skill for practicing evidence-based veterinary medicine. A prerequisite for doing so is the adequate reporting of the results in scientific journals. However, most authors of veterinary publications determine the importance of their findings based on statistical significance (ie, P < .05), indicating that neither the limitations of using P values for inference nor the existence of more appropriate alternatives are widely appreciated in veterinary medicine. This deficiency in knowledge indicates a need to increase awareness in veterinary medicine regarding reporting statistical measures that quantify the magnitude of an effect along with its level of uncertainty, and then interpreting these results for clinical decision making. We utilize a hypothetical randomized controlled trial of dietary management in cats with chronic kidney disease to discuss some common misconceptions about P values and provide practical suggestions for alternatives. Reporting appropriate effect estimates along with their confidence intervals will allow veterinarians to easily and correctly determine whether the magnitude of the effect of interest meets clinical needs while acknowledging uncertainty in the results. We also describe confidence interval functions and show their utility as visual tools in aiding interpretation of confidence intervals. By providing practical guidance, we show that a change in reporting and interpreting statistical results is feasible and necessary. We hope this crucial step will promote clinical decision making based on effect estimates and confidence intervals.
Retrospective evaluation of risk factors for worsening renal function after angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor treatment in dogs
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) have the potential to cause worsening renal function (WRF). Therefore, reevaluation of renal function is recommended 1-2 weeks after starting ACEi therapy.
Genotyping and drug susceptibility profiling of Prototheca sp. strains isolated from cases of protothecosis in dogs
Protothecosis in dogs is a rare, yet emerging disease, distinguished by its often-aggressive clinical course and high fatality rate. Our study was conducted to enhance treatment protocols for affected dogs by better understanding the genetic diversity and drug resistance patterns of Prototheca species.
Salivary peptidomic profiling of chronic gingivostomatitis in cats by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry and nanoscale liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry
Chronic gingivostomatitis in cats (FCGS) is a moderately to severely painful condition, potentially caused by inadequate immune response to oral antigenic stimulation. Salivary peptidome analysis can identify inflammatory protein mediators and pathways involved in oral mucosal immune activation and may indicate potential therapeutic options for FCGS.
Effect of phenylbutazone administration on the enteroinsular axis in horses with insulin dysregulation
Phenylbutazone is prescribed for laminitis-associated pain and decreases glucose and insulin responses to an oral glucose test (OGT) in horses with insulin dysregulation (ID).
Diagnosis of naturally-occurring Cushing's syndrome by primary care veterinarians in selected European countries
Several tests are available to diagnose naturally-occurring Cushing's syndrome in dogs but there is a paucity of information on how primary care veterinarians (PCVs) use or interpret them.
Frequency and progression of azotemia during acute and chronic treatment of congestive heart failure in cats
Azotemia is common in cats with congestive heart failure (CHF) and might be exacerbated by diuretic therapy.
Predictive factors associated with short-term mortality in cats with feline infectious peritonitis treated with remdesivir or GS-441524 or both
Although most cats with feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) respond to treatment with remdesivir or GS-441524 or both with uneventful clinical courses, some die despite treatment.
Dose-exposure-response of CARDALIS® (benazepril/spironolactone) on the classical and alternative arms of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in healthy dogs
Benazepril exhibits a dose-dependent effect on biomarkers of the circulating renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) in dogs.
Caudal vena cava isolation using ablation index-guided radiofrequency catheter ablation (CARTO™ 3) to treat sustained atrial tachycardia in horses
Myocardial sleeves of the caudal vena cava are the predilection site for atrial tachycardia (AT) in horses. Caudal vena cava isolation guided by the ablation index, a lesion quality marker incorporating power, duration and contact force, might improve outcome.
Evaluation of laboratory findings indicating pancreatitis in healthy lean, obese, and diabetic cats
Obesity is a risk factor for diabetes mellitus, which commonly coexists with pancreatitis in cats. However, obesity has not previously been associated with pancreatitis in cats.
Semiautomatic volumetry of the temporal lobes of the brain and correlation with electroencephalography results in dogs with assumed idiopathic epilepsy
Lesions causing refractory epilepsy, often associated with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), can be undetectable on standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in dogs. Automated brain volumetry, widely used in human medicine, can now be applied in veterinary medicine because of the availability of brain atlases.
Characteristics and clinical course of myoclonus in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels
Myoclonus has been described in aging Cavalier King Charles Spaniels (CKCS), but the natural course of the disease and response to treatment have not been described.
Longitudinal assessment of thyroid function in dogs with hypoadrenocorticism: Clinical outcomes and prevalence of autoantibodies
Knowledge about primary hypoadrenocorticism coexisting with immune-mediated thyroiditis (Schmidt's syndrome) in dogs is limited.
Association among raised intraventricular pressure, clinical signs, and magnetic resonance imaging findings in dogs with congenital internal hydrocephalus
Dogs with internal hydrocephalus do not necessarily have high intraventricular pressure (IVP).
Oxygen consumption, locomotory-respiratory coupling and exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage in horses during the Paso Fino gait
Workload associated with the high frequency Colombian Paso Fino gait has not been evaluated.
Proceedings 36th Symposium ESVN-ECVN 12th-14th September 2024
Serum electrolyte abnormalities in cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy
Limited information is available on electrolyte abnormalities in cats with chronic inflammatory enteropathy (CIE).
Evidence-based veterinary medicine-potential, practice, and pitfalls
Understanding and incorporating evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) into clinical practice and research continues to pose a challenge for our profession despite over 2 decades of increasing awareness of this concept. Reasons for this include a lack of understanding of its importance to the practice of medicine, veterinary literature that often fails to adhere to evidence-based standards, inadequate attention to teaching EBVM at the university level, and the inherent reluctance of clinicians to alter historical practice styles. For many practitioners, EBVM continues to be an abstract concept they believe requires advanced training in statistics and epidemiology resulting in them relying on less robust sources for clinical guidance. This unfortunately results in suboptimal care for our patients and delayed medical advancements for our profession. As part of the 20th anniversary of the founding of the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association (EBVMA), we are refocusing our efforts to highlight the need for dedicated teaching of EBVM at the university level, for rigorous adherence to established research reporting guidelines, for expansion of EBVM infrastructure, and for the provision of easily accessible tools that permit clinicians to incorporate EBVM into their daily practice. As the quality of veterinary literature improves, so too will development of more effective clinical practice guidelines that ultimately can be widely adopted if they are flexible enough to support the triadic relationship between veterinarians, our clients and our patients. Ultimately, EBVM is not an end unto itself, but rather a means to improve the quality of care we provide our patients.
Comprehensive gene expression analysis in gallbladder mucosal epithelial cells of dogs with gallbladder mucocele
Gallbladder mucocele (GBM) is a common disease in the canine gallbladder. Although the pathogenesis of GBM remains unclear, we recently reported that the excessive accumulation of mucin in the gallbladder is not a result of overproduction by gallbladder epithelial cells (GBECs).
RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS OF THE 34th ECVIM-CA CONGRESS