A test of automated use of electronic health records to aid in diagnosis of genetic disease

Systematic method for classifying multiple congenital anomaly cases in electronic health records

PURPOSE

Congenital anomalies (CAs) affect approximately 3% of live births and are the leading cause of infant morbidity and mortality. Many individuals have multiple CAs (MCA), a constellation of 2 or more unrelated CAs; yet, there is no consensus on how to systematically identify these individuals in electronic health records (EHRs). We developed a scalable method to characterize MCA in the EHR, allowing for the dramatic improvement of our understanding of the genetic and epidemiologic underpinnings of MCA.

METHODS

From the Vanderbilt University Medical Center's anonymized EHR database, we evaluated 3 different approaches for classifying MCA, including a novel approach that removed minor vs major differentiation and their associated clinical utilization and population characteristics. Using phenome-wide association studies, we assessed the phenome associated with previously classified minor CAs.

RESULTS

Our proposed universal method for MCA identification in the EHR is accurate (positive predictive value = 97.1%), associated with heightened hospital utilization (41% receiving inpatient care), and captures granular patterns of CAs. A secondary application of our method was done in 2 separate cohorts.

CONCLUSION

We developed a method to comprehensively identify individuals with MCA in the EHR, allowing researchers to better investigate the genetic etiologies of MCA. This method can be applied across EHR databases with billing codes.

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for Inborn Errors of Immunity: Current State and Future Promise

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) research within medicine has exponentially increased over the last decade, with studies showcasing the potential of AI/ML algorithms to improve clinical practice and outcomes. Ongoing research and efforts to develop AI-based models have expanded to aid in the identification of inborn errors of immunity (IEI). The use of larger electronic health record data sets, coupled with advances in phenotyping precision and enhancements in ML techniques, has the potential to significantly improve the early recognition of IEI, thereby increasing access to equitable care. In this review, we provide a comprehensive examination of AI/ML for IEI, covering the spectrum from data preprocessing for AI/ML analysis to current applications within immunology, and address the challenges associated with implementing clinical decision support systems to refine the diagnosis and management of IEI.

Proceedings from the inaugural Artificial Intelligence in Primary Immune Deficiencies (AIPID) conference

Here, we summarize the proceedings of the inaugural Artificial Intelligence in Primary Immune Deficiencies conference, during which experts and advocates gathered to advance research into the applications of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and other computational tools in the diagnosis and management of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs). The conference focused on the key themes of expediting IEI diagnoses, challenges in data collection, roles of natural language processing and large language models in interpreting electronic health records, and ethical considerations in implementation. Innovative AI-based tools trained on electronic health records and claims databases have discovered new patterns of warning signs for IEIs, facilitating faster diagnoses and enhancing patient outcomes. Challenges in training AIs persist on account of data limitations, especially in cases of rare diseases, overlapping phenotypes, and biases inherent in current data sets. Furthermore, experts highlighted the significance of ethical considerations, data protection, and the necessity for open science principles. The conference delved into regulatory frameworks, equity in access, and the imperative for collaborative efforts to overcome these obstacles and harness the transformative potential of AI. Concerted efforts to successfully integrate AI into daily clinical immunology practice are still needed.