AI may help predict risk of disease progression in patients with diabetic retinopathy

USA: For people with diabetic eye disease, one of the most difficult and important tasks is estimating the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) progression. A recent study published in the journal Diabetes has shed light on dentifying the risk of the progression of diabetic retinopathy using machine learning on ultrawide field retinal images. 

The study findings, presented at the 83rd American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions (ADA 2023), demonstrated the feasibilty and accuracy of using machine learning models for identification of DR progression using ultrawide field (UWF) retinal images. The artificial intelligence prediction for about  91% of the images were either correct labels; or the labels showed greater progression than the original labels.

"The use of machine learning algorithms may further refine the risk of disease progression and personalize screening intervals that may improve vision-related outcomes and reduce costs," the researchers wrote in their study. 

Current scales of diabetic retinopathy severity have informed clinicians on the progression risk and provided recommendations for treatment and follow-up. Using AI (artificial intelligence) algorithms may improve in this process. In the study, Amber Nigam, Boston, MA, Cambridge, MA, and colleagues developed and validated machine learning models for DR progression from UWF retinal images. They were labeled for baseline DR severity and progression on the basis of clinician review of the images and 3-year longitudinal follow-up using the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) severity scale. 

The dataset consisted of eight classes: proliferative DR (16.55%), severe NPDR progression (11.27%) /nonprogression (10.68%), Moderate NPDR progression (10.1%) /nonprogression (15.85%), Mild nonproliferative DR (NPDR) progression (10.16%) /nonprogression (10.73%), and no DR nonprogression (14.62%).  Based on 60-20-20 proportions, 9970 unique images were split into the train, the validation, and the test datasets. 

The researchers suggests that the use of machine learning algorithms may further refine the risk of disease progression and personalize screening intervals that may reduce costs and improve vision-related outcomes.

Reference:

AMBER NIGAM, JIE SUN, VARSHINI SUBHASH, PAOLO S. SILVA; 26-LB: Identifying the Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy Progression Using Machine Learning on Ultrawide Field Retinal Images. Diabetes 20 June 2023; 72 (Supplement_1): 26–LB. https://doi.org/10.2337/db23-26-LB