Manuela Lefort-Holguin_2025_Neuro-sensitization

Outcomes were compared across allodynia status (healthy, non-allodynic and allodynic) and OA clusters, while testing for the influence of demographic data, with alpha set at 5%. The PWT, RMTS, MI-CAT(V) outcomes and age accurately discerned between healthy and OA animals (P<0.002), but not body weight. Non-allodynic cats had similarly altered MI-CAT(V) and RMTS to allodynic cats, but they were younger (P=0.010) and had a higher PWT than allodynic (P<0.001), and similar PWT (P=0.925) but older (P<0.001) than healthy cats.

Spinal sensitization was similar in the three OA-affected clusters (mild-moderate-severe; P=1.000), but MI-CAT(V) categorized them sensitively (P<0.001). The mild cluster included more non-allodynic cats than the moderate (P=0.021) and severe (P=0.026) clusters. Interestingly, 32% of mild OA cats were allodynic, when the proportion increased to 61% in pooled moderate/severe OA cats (P=0.013).

OA cats are sensitized compared to healthy cats, and peripheral sensitization seems to increase with OA severity, which influences pain phenotype.