Predicting flare probability in rheumatoid arthritis using machine learning methods

Asmir Vodenčarevic, Marlies C. VAn Der Goes, O'Jay A.G. Medina, Mark C.H. De Groot, Saskia Haitjema, Wouter W. Van Solinge, Imo E. Hoefer, Linda M. Peelen, Jacob M. Van Laar, Marcus Zimmermann-Rittereiser, Bob C. Hamans, Paco M.J. Welsing

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionAcademicpeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease that mostly affects joints. It requires life-long treatment aiming at suppression of disease activity. RA is characterized by periods of low or even absent activity of the disease ("remission") alternated with exacerbations of the disease ("flares") leading to pain, functional limitations and decreased quality of life. Flares and periods of high disease activity can lead to joint damage and permanent disability. Over the last decades treatment of RA patients has improved, especially with the new "biological" drugs. This expensive medication also carries a risk of serious adverse events such as severe infections. Therefore patients and physicians often wish to taper the dose or even stop the drug, once stable remission is reached. Unfortunately, drug tapering is associated with the increased risk of flares. In this paper we applied machine learning methods on the Utrecht Patient Oriented Database (UPOD) to predict flare probability within a time horizon of three months. Providing information about flare probability for different dose reduction scenarios would enable clinicians to perform informed tapering which may prevent flares, reduce adverse events and save drug costs. Our best models can predict flares with AUC values of about 80%.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationProceedings of the 7th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications - Volume 1: DATA,
EditorsJorge Bernardino, Christoph Quix
PublisherSciTePress
Pages187-192
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9789897583186
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018
Event7th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications, DATA 2018 - Porto, Portugal
Duration: 26 Jul 201828 Jul 2018

Publication series

NameDATA 2018 - Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications

Conference

Conference7th International Conference on Data Science, Technology and Applications, DATA 2018
Country/TerritoryPortugal
CityPorto
Period26/07/1828/07/18

Keywords

  • Electronic medical record
  • Flare probability
  • Predictive modeling
  • Rheumatoid arthritis

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