title: Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus among 193,435 Cats Attending Primary-Care Veterinary Practices in England.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a common endocrine disease of cats. The prevalence of DM in cats in England is not well-defined.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To estimate the prevalence and identify risk factors for DM in a large population of cats attending primary-care practices.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 193,563 cats in the VetCompass Programme attending 118 primary-care practices in England.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional analysis of cohort clinical data. Data were extracted covering September 1st 2009 and August 31st 2014. Period prevalence of DM was calculated. Associations between risk factors and DM were assessed using logistic regression modelling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1,128 DM cases were identified among 194,563 cats (period prevalence 0.58%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.54-0.61). Multivariable modelling indicated that Tonkinese (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.8-9.6; P = .001), Norwegian Forest (odds ratio [OR] 3.5; 95% CI 1.3-9.6; P = .001) and Burmese (OR 3.0; 95% CI 2.0-4.4; P < .001) cats had increased odds of DM compared with crossbred cats. DM odds increased as bodyweight categories increased above 4 kg (P < .001), as cats aged beyond 6 years old (P < .001) and in insured cats (OR 2.0; 95% CI 1.6-2.4; P < .001) but sex was not significantly associated with DM.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Diabetes mellitus is an important component of the primary-care practice caseload with 1-in-200 cats affected. An increased risk of DM in certain cat breeds supports a genetic predisposition. These results can guide future research and preventative healthcare.
authors.affiliation: Department of Production and Population Health.
authors.forename: D G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: O'Neill
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gostelow
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Orme
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services.
authors.forename: D B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Church
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Science and Services.
authors.forename: S J M
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Niessen
authors.affiliation: Department of Production and Population Health.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Verheyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Production and Population Health.
authors.forename: D C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Brodbelt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002415:Cats; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006762:Hospitals, Animal; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Endocrine; Feline; Statistical modelling; Surveillance; VetCompass