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A recent study highlights the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in predicting premature mortality among individuals suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes conditions such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
Conducted by a team of researchers analyzing data from over 9,000 Ontario residents diagnosed with IBD who passed away between 2010 and 2020, the findings have been published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. The investigation revealed that approximately half of the deaths occurred prior to the age of 75, a threshold recognized as premature.
The likelihood of premature death significantly increased for individuals who had previous diagnoses of other chronic illnesses, such as arthritis, hypertension, renal failure, cancer, and mental health disorders, notably if these conditions were identified before the age of 61.
Dr. Eric Benchimol, a pediatric gastroenterologist and senior author of the study, emphasizes that IBD is rarely the direct cause of death. Instead, he calls attention to the necessity of monitoring and addressing additional chronic health issues in patients with IBD promptly.
“It’s essential that gastroenterologists no longer work in isolation,” Dr. Benchimol stressed, noting his affiliation with Sick Kids Hospital and the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES), which supplied the patient data for the research.
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Dr. Benchimol advocates for a more integrated approach to the care of IBD patients, urging the establishment of a coordinated system that addresses the multifaceted health challenges they face.
The symptoms of Crohn’s disease and colitis involve inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, which impairs food digestion and nutrient absorption. Patients typically experience urgent bowel movements, diarrhea, and rectal bleeding, according to Crohn’s and Colitis Canada.
The etiology of IBD is believed to stem from a mix of genetic and environmental influences that disturb the gut microbiome. Factors like smoking and early antibiotic usage have been implicated in the onset of these diseases, according to Dr. Benchimol. Furthermore, he notes the increasing prevalence of IBD in Canada, with projections suggesting that by 2035, over 1% of the population will be affected by the disease.
Benchimol remarked that the chronic conditions identified in conjunction with IBD were somewhat expected. Working primarily with children who have IBD, he frequently encounters conditions like arthritis and psychological issues. He pointed out that teenagers with IBD are at a higher risk of experiencing anxiety and depression compared to their non-affected peers.
“The concerning part is the connection between these conditions and early mortality,” he said, highlighting the need for further research to understand the mechanisms behind these associations.
In conjunction with AI techniques, the researchers employed traditional statistical analyses, which yielded consistent results regarding the factors contributing to premature mortality in IBD patients. This consistency enhances confidence in the findings generated by machine learning algorithms, Benchimol noted.
The advancements in machine learning allow for the processing of vast amounts of data, identifying correlations among various health factors more effectively than manual assessments. Future studies are expected to extend the analysis of IBD patients by incorporating additional clinical data, such as the severity of inflammation and prescribed treatments.
Dr. Benchimol envisions that AI could be instrumental not only in preventing premature deaths in IBD patients but also in uncovering the environmental risk factors that may contribute to the initial development of the disease.
Source
globalnews.ca