Combining Evolutionary and Fuzzy Techniques in Medical Diagnosis

Abstract:In 1987, the American Rheumatism Association issued a set of criteria for the classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) to provide a uniform definition of RA patients. Fuzzy set theory and fuzzy logic were used to transform this set of criteria into a diagnostic tool that offers diagnoses at different levels of confidence: a definite level, which was consistent with the original criteria definition, as well as several possible and superdefinite levels. Two fuzzy models and a reference model which provided results at a definite level only were applied to 292 clinical cases from a hospital for rheumatic diseases. At the definite level, all models yielded a sensitivity rate of 72.6% and a specificity rate of 87.0%. Sensitivity and specificity rates at the possible levels ranged from 73.3% to 85.6% and from 83.6% to 87.0%. At the superdefinite levels, sensitivity rates ranged from 39.0% to 63.7% and specificity rates from 90.4% to 95.2%. Fuzzy techniques were helpful to add flexibility to preexisting diagnostic criteria in order to obtain diagnoses at the desired level of confidence.

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Medical Diagnosis from a Clinician’s Point of View

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1636673 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 17 (01) ◽

pp. 28-35

Author(s):

F. T. De Dombal

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Data Analysis ◽

Computer Science ◽

Medical Diagnosis ◽

Information Science ◽

Point Of View ◽

Joint Research ◽

The World

This paper discusses medical diagnosis from the clinicians point of view. The aim of the paper is to identify areas where computer science and information science may be of help to the practising clinician. Collection of data, analysis, and decision-making are discussed in turn. Finally, some specific recommendations are made for further joint research on the basis of experience around the world to date.

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The Process of Medical Diagnosis: Routes of Mathematical Investigations

Methods of Information in Medicine ◽

10.1055/s-0038-1636611 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 17 (01) ◽

pp. 1-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

P. Tautu ◽

G. Wagner

Keyword(s):

Decision Theory ◽

Medical Diagnosis ◽

Pattern Analysis ◽

Logical Probability ◽

Inquiry Process ◽

Fuzzy Subsets

This paper is an analysis of the most important mathematical aspects of medical diagnosis: logical probability, rationality and decision theory, gambling models, pattern analysis, hazy and fuzzy subsets theory and, finally, the stochastic inquiry process.

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Is medical diagnosis a general computer problem?

JAMA ◽

10.1001/jama.198.3.281 ◽

1966 ◽

Vol 198 (3) ◽

pp. 281-286 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

T. D. Sterling

Keyword(s):

Medical Diagnosis ◽

Computer Problem ◽

General Computer

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Objective and parametric methods used in functional classification disabled swimmers

Physiotherapy ◽

10.2478/physio-2013-0022 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 21 (3) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Natalia Uścinowicz ◽

Wojciech Seidel ◽

Paweł Zostawa ◽

Sebastian Klich

Keyword(s):

Medical Diagnosis ◽

Olympic Games ◽

Objective Evaluation ◽

Subjective Assessment ◽

Fair Play ◽

Functional Classification ◽

Kinematic Parameters ◽

Athletes With Disabilities ◽

Rule Out

AbstractThe recent Olympic Games in London incited much interest in the competition of disabled athletes. Various people connected with swimming, including coaches and athletes, have speculated about the fairness of competitions of disabled athletes. A constant problem are the subjective methods of classification in disabled sport. Originally, athletes with disabilities were classified according to medical diagnosis. Due to the injustice which still affects the competitors, functional classification was created shortly after. In the present review, the authors show the anomalies in the structure of the classification. The presented discovery led to the suggestion to introduce objective methods, thanks to which it would be no longer necessary to rely on the subjective assessment of the classifier. According to the authors, while using objective methods does not completely rule out the possibility of fraud by disabled athletes in the classification process, it would certainly reduce their incidence. Some of the objective methods useful for the classification of disabled athletes are: posturography, evaluation of the muscle parameters, electrogoniometric assessment, surface electromyography, and analysis of kinematic parameters. These methods have provide objective evaluation in the diagnostic sense but only if they are used in tandem. The authors demonstrate the undeniable benefits of using objective methods. Unfortunately, there are not only advantages of such solution, there also several drawbacks to be found. The conclusion of the article is the statement by the authors that it is right to use objective methods which allow to further the most important rule in sport: fair-play.

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