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COPD Diagnosis AI Tool: AI for Respiratory Health Management

AI for COPD early detection and identify high-risk patients.

Problem

Globally, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death, causing 3.23 million deaths in 2019 (3). The prevalence of COPD in Latin America is significant, with estimates indicating around 8.9% of the population affected.

COPD is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed in Latin America due to limited access to spirometry and other diagnostic tools. Many patients are diagnosed only when the disease has progressed to advanced stages, making treatment less effective. Studies indicate that the prevalence ranges from 6% to 20% among adults over 40 years old, with higher rates observed in urban areas due to increased exposure to air pollution and smoking.

Why it matters

  • Nearly 90% of COPD deaths in children under 70 occur in low- and middle-income countries [3].
  • COPD imposes a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems in Latin America. The disease leads to high hospitalization rates, with significant costs associated with in-hospital care and treatment. [4]
  • 70% of cases may remain undiagnosed.
  • In 2004, the estimated cost of COPD in Colombia was approximately 4,600 million US dollars [5].
  • 35 out of every 1,000 hospitalizations are due to COPD, with in-hospital mortality rates ranging from 6.7% to 29.5% [6].

Solution

AI algorithms have been developed to assist in the interpretation of spirometry results These algorithms can analyze complex patterns in lung function data more accurately and consistently than traditional methods, reducing the rate of misdiagnosis.

On the other hand, AI can be used to develop predictive models that identify individuals at high risk of developing COPD based on factors such as smoking history, environmental exposures, and genetic predispositions. This allows for earlier intervention and management.

The demo shown is a predictive model that has been crafted utilizing varied data inputs from electronic medical records to accurately discern COPD symptoms and distinguish the condition from other respiratory ailments, leveraging information on patient health conditions, medication history, and exposure risks.

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Datasources

The model is enhanced by a synthetic data set, built on the basis of careful analysis of real-world data. Social determinants of health (SDoH) provide contextual information about environmental and social factors that may influence health outcomes. These data are complemented by the clinical experience on COPD symptomatology from the Mayo Clinic (1), the findings on the predictive role of AI in COPD by Zafari et al. (2), and the WHO's comprehensive overview of the prevalence and global impact of COPD (3), ensuring that the model is aligned with current medical knowledge and practices.

Citations

  1. COPD - Symptoms and causes. (2020, 15 abril). Mayo Clinic.
  2. Zafari H, Langlois S, Zulkernine F, Kosowan L, Singer A. AI in predicting COPD in the Canadian population. Biosystems. 2022 Jan;211:104585. doi: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2021.104585. Epub 2021 Dec 2. PMID: 34864143.
  3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (2022, May 20). https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)
  4. Agustín Ciapponi, Lee Alison, Mazzoni Agustina, Glujovsky Demián,Cesaroni Silvana & Sobrino Edgardo (2014) The Epidemiology and Burden of COPD in LatinAmerica and the Caribbean: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, COPD: Journal of ChronicObstructive Pulmonary Disease, 11:3, 339-350, DOI: 10.3109/15412555.2013.836479
  5. Perez-Padilla R, Menezes AMB. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Latin America. Ann Glob Health. 2019 Jan 22;85(1):7. doi: 10.5334/aogh.2418. PMID: 30741508; PMCID: PMC7052319.
  6. Ciapponi, A., Alison, L., Agustina, M., Demián, G., Silvana, C., & Edgardo, S. (2013). The Epidemiology and Burden of COPD in Latin America and the Caribbean: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 11(3), 339–350. https://doi.org/10.3109/15412555.2013.836479
  7. Celis-Preciado, C., Cañas-Arboleda, A., Rodríguez, M. N., Quitián, H., Avendaño, V., Rodríguez, P., ... & Rangel, A. G. (2020). PRS6 direct medical costs of moderate to severe copd in a colombian cohort. Value in Health, 23, S349-S350.

Problem

Globally, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death, causing 3.23 million deaths in 2019 (3). The prevalence of COPD in Latin America is significant, with estimates indicating around 8.9% of the population affected.

COPD is often underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed in Latin America due to limited access to spirometry and other diagnostic tools. Many patients are diagnosed only when the disease has progressed to advanced stages, making treatment less effective. Studies indicate that the prevalence ranges from 6% to 20% among adults over 40 years old, with higher rates observed in urban areas due to increased exposure to air pollution and smoking.

Problem Size

  • Nearly 90% of COPD deaths in children under 70 occur in low- and middle-income countries [3].
  • COPD imposes a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems in Latin America. The disease leads to high hospitalization rates, with significant costs associated with in-hospital care and treatment. [4]
  • 70% of cases may remain undiagnosed.
  • In 2004, the estimated cost of COPD in Colombia was approximately 4,600 million US dollars [5].
  • 35 out of every 1,000 hospitalizations are due to COPD, with in-hospital mortality rates ranging from 6.7% to 29.5% [6].

Solution

AI algorithms have been developed to assist in the interpretation of spirometry results These algorithms can analyze complex patterns in lung function data more accurately and consistently than traditional methods, reducing the rate of misdiagnosis.

On the other hand, AI can be used to develop predictive models that identify individuals at high risk of developing COPD based on factors such as smoking history, environmental exposures, and genetic predispositions. This allows for earlier intervention and management.

The demo shown is a predictive model that has been crafted utilizing varied data inputs from electronic medical records to accurately discern COPD symptoms and distinguish the condition from other respiratory ailments, leveraging information on patient health conditions, medication history, and exposure risks.

Opportunity Cost

AI can streamline the diagnostic process by quickly and accurately interpreting spirometry and imaging results, reducing the need for repeat tests and specialist consultations.

Early diagnosis and treatment reduce COPD-related healthcare costs by 20–40%.

Predictive analytics can identify patients at risk of exacerbations by monitoring symptoms, vital signs, and environmental factors in real time.In Colombia, the cost per episode of COPD exacerbation was estimated at $270 for moderate exacerbations, $990 for severe exacerbations in moderate COPD, and $1,400 for severe exacerbations in severe COPD [7].


Impact

AI into COPD management is cost-effective by enhancing diagnostic accuracy, preventing costly exacerbations, and optimizing treatment plans. These improvements lead to better patient outcomes and significant cost savings for healthcare systems, despite the initial investment required for implementation.


Data Sources

The model is enhanced by a synthetic data set, built on the basis of careful analysis of real-world data. Social determinants of health (SDoH) provide contextual information about environmental and social factors that may influence health outcomes. These data are complemented by the clinical experience on COPD symptomatology from the Mayo Clinic (1), the findings on the predictive role of AI in COPD by Zafari et al. (2), and the WHO's comprehensive overview of the prevalence and global impact of COPD (3), ensuring that the model is aligned with current medical knowledge and practices.


References

  1. COPD - Symptoms and causes. (2020, 15 abril). Mayo Clinic.
  2. Zafari H, Langlois S, Zulkernine F, Kosowan L, Singer A. AI in predicting COPD in the Canadian population. Biosystems. 2022 Jan;211:104585. doi: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2021.104585. Epub 2021 Dec 2. PMID: 34864143.
  3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). (2022, May 20). https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(copd)
  4. Agustín Ciapponi, Lee Alison, Mazzoni Agustina, Glujovsky Demián,Cesaroni Silvana & Sobrino Edgardo (2014) The Epidemiology and Burden of COPD in LatinAmerica and the Caribbean: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, COPD: Journal of ChronicObstructive Pulmonary Disease, 11:3, 339-350, DOI: 10.3109/15412555.2013.836479
  5. Perez-Padilla R, Menezes AMB. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Latin America. Ann Glob Health. 2019 Jan 22;85(1):7. doi: 10.5334/aogh.2418. PMID: 30741508; PMCID: PMC7052319.
  6. Ciapponi, A., Alison, L., Agustina, M., Demián, G., Silvana, C., & Edgardo, S. (2013). The Epidemiology and Burden of COPD in Latin America and the Caribbean: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. COPD: Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, 11(3), 339–350. https://doi.org/10.3109/15412555.2013.836479
  7. Celis-Preciado, C., Cañas-Arboleda, A., Rodríguez, M. N., Quitián, H., Avendaño, V., Rodríguez, P., ... & Rangel, A. G. (2020). PRS6 direct medical costs of moderate to severe copd in a colombian cohort. Value in Health, 23, S349-S350.

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