Abstract
Background
Computer vision & deep learning(DL)to assess & help with tissue characterization of disease activity in Ulcerative Colitis(UC)through Mayo Endoscopic Subscore(MES)show good results in central reading for clinical trials.UCEIS(Ulcerative Colitis Endoscopic Index of Severity)being a granular index,may be more reflective of disease activity & more primed for artificial intelligence(AI). We set out to create UC detection & scoring,in a single tool & graphic user interface(GUI),improving accuracy & precision of MES & UCEIS scores & reducing the time elapsed between video collection,quality assurance & final scoring.We apply DL models to detect & filter scorable frames,assess quality of endoscopic recordings & predict MES & UCEIS scores in videos of patients with UC
Methods
We leveraged>375,000frames from endoscopy cases using Olympus scopes(190&180Series).Experienced endoscopists & 9 labellers tagged~22,000(6%)images showing normal, disease state(MES orUCEIS subscores)& non-scorable frames.We separate total frames in 3 categories:training(60%),testing(20%)&validation(20%).Using a Convolutional Neural Network(CNN)Inception V3,including a biopsy & post-biopsy detector,an out-of-the-body framework & blue light algorithm.Similar architecture for detection with multiple separate units & corresponding dense layers taking CNN to provide continuous scores for 5 separate outputs:MES,aggregate UCEIS & individual components Vascular Pattern,Bleeding & Ulcers.
Results
Multiple metrics evaluate detection models.Overall performance has an accuracy of~88% & a similar precision & recall for all classes.
MAE(distance from ground truth)& mean bias(over/under-prediction tendency)are used to assess the performance of the scoring model.Our model performs well as predicted distributions are relatively close to the labelled,ground truth data & MAE & Bias for all frames are relatively low considering the magnitude of the scoring scale.
To leverage all our models,we developed a practical tool that should be used to improve efficiency & accuracy of reading & scoring process for UC at different stages of the clinical journey.
Conclusion
We propose a DL approach based on labelled images to automate a workflow for improving & accelerating UC disease detection & scoring using MES & UCEIS scores. Our deep learning model shows relevant feature identification for scoring disease activity in UC patients, well aligned with both scoring guidelines,performance of experts & demonstrates strong promise for generalization.Going forward, we aim to continue developing our detection & scoring tool. With our detailed workflow supported by deep learning models, we have a driving function to create a precise & potentially superhuman level AI to score disease activity
Assessing Disease Activity in Ulcerative Colitis Using Artificial Intelligence: Can “Equally Good” Be Seen as “Better”?
