Assessing the quality of life of older equines and equines with Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction (Cushing’s Disease) |
Has your horse recently been tested for PPID? If yes, regardless of the test result, you are being invited to participate in a two-year study, where you will be asked to complete a survey which usually takes 10 minutes every three months.
Who can be involved in this research?
Your horse is eligible to take part if they are at least 10 years old, are based in the UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, AUS, NZ and:
They have had a positive test result but have not yet started treatment (tested in last 2 months)
OR
They have had a positive test result and started treatment within the last 2 months (tested in last 2 months)
OR
They have had a positive test result but no treatment is planned (tested in last 3 months)
OR
They have had a negative test result in the past 3 months
OR
They have had an equivocal (unclear) test result in the past 3 months
The purpose of this study is to assess, monitor, and quantify the impact of the long-term effect of PPID on a horse’s/pony’s quality of life and owner’s well-being (When we say horse in this study, we of course include ponies).
The data will directly contribute to research into how the veterinary-prescribed treatment with pergolide and other long-term changes, affect the quality of life of horses with the disease.
The survey is split into two main parts. In Part One we will ask general questions about your horse, including their PPID/Cushing’s disease if they have been diagnosed with it. In Part Two, which is a recently developed quality of life tool, we will ask how your horse is currently feeling and looking, and how the management of your horse influences their and your daily life. This research is being conducted by a team of researchers at the RVC and is funded by CVS Group plc.
The data will directly contribute to research into how the veterinary-prescribed treatment with pergolide and other long-term changes, affect the quality of life of horses with the disease.
The survey is split into two main parts. In Part One we will ask general questions about your horse, including their PPID/Cushing’s disease if they have been diagnosed with it. In Part Two, which is a recently developed quality of life tool, we will ask how your horse is currently feeling and looking, and how the management of your horse influences their and your daily life. This research is being conducted by a team of researchers at the RVC and is funded by CVS Group plc.
Horse owners and professionals are equally welcome to contribute. You must be aged 18 years or over and based in the UK to participate. Please fill out one questionnaire per horse. Please complete the survey for horses that have recently been tested for PPID and are still living.
Your participation:
By participating in this study, you consent for the research team to contact you at regular intervals and data to be used in this research and any subsequent publications and presentations. Your data will be anonymised so that you/your horse cannot be identified in publications. Data will be stored in a safe and secure server until the end of this study (2.5 years) following good research practice guidelines.
We appreciate the sensitivity of this subject, and that some of the questions may be distressing. If you find any of the questions distressing, please do not continue. If you would like more information about this study or on equine PPID/Cushing’s disease, please visit the links at the bottom of this introduction or contact your veterinary practice. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time should you wish to do so.
Your participation:
By participating in this study, you consent for the research team to contact you at regular intervals and data to be used in this research and any subsequent publications and presentations. Your data will be anonymised so that you/your horse cannot be identified in publications. Data will be stored in a safe and secure server until the end of this study (2.5 years) following good research practice guidelines.
We appreciate the sensitivity of this subject, and that some of the questions may be distressing. If you find any of the questions distressing, please do not continue. If you would like more information about this study or on equine PPID/Cushing’s disease, please visit the links at the bottom of this introduction or contact your veterinary practice. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time should you wish to do so.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding this study, please do not hesitate to contact us: Dr Aline Bouquet (ppidqol@rvc.ac.uk).
This study has been approved by the Social Science Ethical Review Board of the Royal Veterin