A novel enhanced decision tree model for detecting chronic kidney disease

Objectives The aim of this study was to develop an algorithm capable of predicting short- and medium-term survival in cases of intrinsic acute-on-chronic kidney disease (ACKD) in cats. Methods The medical record database was searched to identify cats hospitalised for acute clinical signs and azotaemia of at least 48 h duration and diagnosed to have underlying chronic kidney disease based on ultrasonographic renal abnormalities or previously documented azotaemia. Cases with postrenal azotaemia, exposure to nephrotoxicants, feline infectious peritonitis or neoplasia were excluded. Clinical variables were combined in a clinical severity score (CSS). Clinicopathological and ultrasonographic variables were also collected. The following variables were tested as inputs in a machine learning system: age, body weight (BW), CSS, identification of small kidneys or nephroliths by ultrasonography, serum creatinine at 48 h (Crea48), spontaneous feeding at 48 h (SpF48) and aetiology. Outputs were outcomes at 7, 30, 90 and 180 days. The machine-learning system was trained to develop decision tree algorithms capable of predicting outputs from inputs. Finally, the diagnostic performance of the algorithms was calculated. Results Crea48 was the best predictor of survival at 7 days (threshold 1043 µmol/l, sensitivity 0.96, specificity 0.53), 30 days (threshold 566 µmol/l, sensitivity 0.70, specificity 0.89) and 90 days (threshold 566 µmol/l, sensitivity 0.76, specificity 0.80), with fewer cats still alive when their Crea48 was above these thresholds. A short decision tree, including age and Crea48, predicted the 180-day outcome best. When Crea48 was excluded from the analysis, the generated decision trees included CSS, age, BW, SpF48 and identification of small kidneys with an overall diagnostic performance similar to that using Crea48. Conclusions and relevance Crea48 helps predict short- and medium-term survival in cats with ACKD. Secondary variables that helped predict outcomes were age, CSS, BW, SpF48 and identification of small kidneys.

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Risk of Pre-Malignancy or Malignancy in Postmenopausal Endometrial Polyps: A CHAID Decision Tree Analysis

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11061094 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1094

Author(s):

Michael Wong ◽

Nikolaos Thanatsis ◽

Federica Nardelli ◽

Tejal Amin ◽

Davor Jurkovic

Keyword(s):

Decision Tree ◽

Expectant Management ◽

Decision Tree Model ◽

Decision Tree Analysis ◽

Focal Lesions ◽

Tree Model ◽

Normal Endometrium ◽

Endometrial Polyps ◽

Tree Analysis ◽

Interaction Detection

Background and aims: Postmenopausal endometrial polyps are commonly managed by surgical resection; however, expectant management may be considered for some women due to the presence of medical co-morbidities, failed hysteroscopies or patient’s preference. This study aimed to identify patient characteristics and ultrasound morphological features of polyps that could aid in the prediction of underlying pre-malignancy or malignancy in postmenopausal polyps. Methods: Women with consecutive postmenopausal polyps diagnosed on ultrasound and removed surgically were recruited between October 2015 to October 2018 prospectively. Polyps were defined on ultrasound as focal lesions with a regular outline, surrounded by normal endometrium. On Doppler examination, there was either a single feeder vessel or no detectable vascularity. Polyps were classified histologically as benign (including hyperplasia without atypia), pre-malignant (atypical hyperplasia), or malignant. A Chi-squared automatic interaction detection (CHAID) decision tree analysis was performed with a range of demographic, clinical, and ultrasound variables as independent, and the presence of pre-malignancy or malignancy in polyps as dependent variables. A 10-fold cross-validation method was used to estimate the model’s misclassification risk. Results: There were 240 women included, 181 of whom presented with postmenopausal bleeding. Their median age was 60 (range of 45–94); 18/240 (7.5%) women were diagnosed with pre-malignant or malignant polyps. In our decision tree model, the polyp mean diameter (≤13 mm or >13 mm) on ultrasound was the most important predictor of pre-malignancy or malignancy. If the tree was allowed to grow, the patient’s body mass index (BMI) and cystic/solid appearance of the polyp classified women further into low-risk (≤5%), intermediate-risk (>5%–≤20%), or high-risk (>20%) groups. Conclusions: Our decision tree model may serve as a guide to counsel women on the benefits and risks of surgery for postmenopausal endometrial polyps. It may also assist clinicians in prioritizing women for surgery according to their risk of malignancy.

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Reanalysis and External Validation of a Decision Tree Model for Detecting Unrecognized Diabetes in Rural Chinese Individuals

International Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1155/2017/3894870 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2017 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Zhong Xin ◽

Lin Hua ◽

Xu-Hong Wang ◽

Dong Zhao ◽

Cai-Guo Yu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Decision Tree ◽

Predictive Value ◽

Early Stage ◽

Current Model ◽

External Validation ◽

Area Under The Curve ◽

Decision Tree Model ◽

Tree Model ◽

Chinese Adult ◽

Significant Difference

We reanalyzed previous data to develop a more simplified decision tree model as a screening tool for unrecognized diabetes, using basic information in Beijing community health records. Then, the model was validated in another rural town. Only three non-laboratory-based risk factors (age, BMI, and presence of hypertension) with fewer branches were used in the new model. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and area under the curve (AUC) for detecting diabetes were calculated. The AUC values in internal and external validation groups were 0.708 and 0.629, respectively. Subjects with high risk of diabetes had significantly higher HOMA-IR, but no significant difference in HOMA-B was observed. This simple tool will help general practitioners and residents assess the risk of diabetes quickly and easily. This study also validates the strong associations of insulin resistance and early stage of diabetes, suggesting that more attention should be paid to the current model in rural Chinese adult populations.

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