Symptoms are known by their companies: towards association guided disease diagnosis assistant

Over the last few years, dozens of healthcare surveys have shown a shortage of doctors and an alarming doctor-population ratio. With the motivation of assisting doctors and utilizing their time efficiently, automatic disease diagnosis using artificial intelligence is experiencing an ever-growing demand and popularity. Humans are known by the company they keep; similarly, symptoms also exhibit the association property, i.e., one symptom may strongly suggest another symptom's existence/non-existence, and their association provides crucial information about the suffering condition. The work investigates the role of symptom association in symptom investigation and disease diagnosis process. We propose and build a virtual assistant called Association guided Symptom Investigation and Diagnosis Assistant (A-SIDA) using hierarchical reinforcement learning. The proposed A-SIDDA converses with patients and extracts signs and symptoms as per patients' chief complaints and ongoing dialogue context. We infused association-based recommendations and critic into the assistant, which reinforces the assistant for conducting context-aware, symptom-association guided symptom investigation. Following the symptom investigation, the assistant diagnoses a disease based on the extracted signs and symptoms. The assistant then diagnoses a disease based on the extracted signs and symptoms. In addition to diagnosis accuracy, the relevance of inspected symptoms is critical to the usefulness of a diagnosis framework. We also propose a novel evaluation metric called Investigation Relevance Score (IReS), which measures the relevance of symptoms inspected during symptom investigation. The obtained improvements (Diagnosis success rate-5.36%, Dialogue length-1.16, Match rate-2.19%, Disease classifier-6.36%, IReS-0.3501, and Human score-0.66) over state-of-the-art methods firmly establish the crucial role of symptom association that gets uncovered by the virtual agent. Furthermore, we found that the association guided symptom investigation greatly increases human satisfaction, owing to its seamless topic (symptom) transition

Deep phenotyping and genomic data from a nationally representative study on dementia in India

The Harmonized Diagnostic Assessment of Dementia for the Longitudinal Aging Study in India (LASI-DAD) is a nationally representative in-depth study of cognitive aging and dementia. We present a publicly available dataset of harmonized cognitive measures of 4,096 adults 60 years of age and older in India, collected across 18 states and union territories. Blood samples were obtained to carry out whole blood and serum-based assays. Results are included in a venous blood specimen datafile that can be linked to the Harmonized LASI-DAD dataset. A global screening array of 960 LASI-DAD respondents is also publicly available for download, in addition to neuroimaging data on 137 LASI-DAD participants. Altogether, these datasets provide comprehensive information on older adults in India that allow researchers to further understand risk factors associated with cognitive impairment and dementia.Peer reviewe

Use of ChatGPT by physicians to build rehabilitation plans for the elderly: A mini-review of case studies

This mini-review explores the potential of using ChatGPT, an artificial intelligence language model, to build personalized rehabilitation plans for elderly patients. Creating such plans improve the function of morbid and frail elderly, and can be time-consuming, requiring a multidisciplinary team of health-care professionals. ChatGPT can generate human-like responses to text inputs, making it a valuable tool for health-care professionals in creating personalized rehabilitation plans. The review outlines a case study in which trial and error questioning was done to develop a set of optimal parameters that can be input into ChatGPT to develop personalized rehabilitation plans for patients. Six case scenarios involving different organ systems were assessed by expert geriatricians for quality of advice. ChatGPT use offered several benefits for developing personalized plans, such as its easy and free accessibility, personalized chatbot, ability to integrate complex multiple morbidities, and reduced need for extra personnel. However, its limitations include limited accuracy, no reference of information, bioethical considerations, lack of information storing capabilities, and patient mistrust in machine learning software. Overall, our review suggests that ChatGPT has the potential to be an excellent tool for developing personalized rehabilitation plans for elderly patients. However, it is important to consider the limitations and ensure that health-care professionals review and approve any plans generated by ChatGPT before implementing them. It is crucial to note that ChatGPT should be used to support clinical decision-making rather than replace health-care professionals' expertise and knowledge

Geriatric Goalposts: Of Independence And Interdependence

Our elder population has a unique set of needs and necessities, challenges and concerns. This reflects in the approach of geriatric medicine, which aims to ensure functional freedom and independence, as well as healthy ageing, of older citizens. We propose another, higher, aim of geriatric medicine: that is interdependence. This creates a spirit of optimism, in persons of geriatric age group as well as in their health care providers, who are able to interpret goals of medical care in a broader perspective. Keywords: ADL, geriatrics, gerontology, independence, interdependence, Person centred care

Frailty as a predictor of outcome in heart failure in the elderly: An observational study at a tertiary care center

Introduction: Heart failure is the leading contributor to global morbidity and mortality. Frailty is an emerging prognostic factor in heart failure. There is little data on the prognostic role of frailty in patients admitted for acute heart failure as most studies have been done on stable heart failure patients. Methodology: The study included elderly (age ≥60 years) patients admitted with acute heart failure at a tertiary care center in India. Patients with dementia, cognitive impairment, and documented terminal illness were excluded. The sample size was 85 patients. Frailty assessment was done using short performance physical battery (SPPB) and Fried phenotype scales and follow-up data was collected at 3 months postdischarge telephonically. The primary objective of the study was to determine the proportion of frailty in elderly in-hospital heart failure patients. The secondary objectives were to see the agreement between the frailty assessment tools used (SPPB and Fried phenotype). Results: Eighty seven patients were included in the study. The majority were male (n = 45) and had heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (n = 56). Coronary artery disease (CAD) (n = 60) was the most common cause of heart failure. Eighty-two patients had at least one comorbidity. The proportion of frailty as per the SPPB was 43.67%, and as per the Fried phenotype was 68.9%. A total of 4 deaths and 15 re-admissions occurred during the follow-up period of 3 months. The majority belonged to the frail category as per both the frailty scales (P < 0.001 for SPPB, P = 0.087 for Fried phenotype). Fleiss's kappa coefficient for agreement between the scales was 0.373 (SE = 0.106, P < 0.001), which signifies that there was a fair agreement between the two scales. The Spearman Rank correlation coefficient was −0.691 (P < 0.01) between the two scales. Hence, the SPPB score inversely correlated with the Fried phenotype. Conclusion: Frailty is largely prevalent in elderly heart failure patients. It can be used to predict poor outcomes in these patients. Clinicians should identify these high-risk patients at the time of discharge from their facility and consider interventions (tailored rehabilitation programs) to minimize the adverse outcomes

Comparative analysis of acute coronary syndrome in the elderly and the young: A hospital-based observational study

Background: The high prevalence of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) and the imminent transition of a proportion of the population into the geriatric age group are issues vital to the health-care delivery system. We wished to compare the risk factors, clinical presentation, echocardiographic and angiographic findings, complications, and in-hospital outcomes of ACS in the elderly and the younger population and identify the predictors of mortality in the elderly. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional study was performed on patients hospitalized with ACS over a 12-month period. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of all included patients were analyzed after categorizing them as Groups I (>60 years; n = 188) and II (<60 years; n = 123). Results: Congestive heart failure (n = 64; 20.6%), shock (n = 19; 6.1%), and arrhythmias (n = 9; 2.9%) were observed at presentation in the 311 patients studied. Intervention was not undertaken in 18/311 (5.8%) either due to poor general condition or refusal by the patients' attendants. The risk factors significantly associated (P < 0.05) in Group II included male gender, tobacco and alcohol use, central obesity, dyslipidemia, and a positive family history of coronary artery disease (CAD). Group II had significantly higher (P < 0.05) Killip class, heart failure, and shock at presentation and mortality. Conclusion: The risk factors of CAD differ in the elderly; also they are predisposed to adverse outcome as compared to the younger people. Mortality among the elderly is significantly higher in those with arrhythmias, shock, low diastolic blood pressure, and/or congestive heart failure with advanced Killip class

Clinical and endoscopic profile of patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding at tertiary care center of North India

Background: Upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) is a common medical emergency associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The presentation of bleeding depends on the amount and location of hemorrhage and the endoscopic profile varies according to different etiology. Despite advancements in medical intervention UGIB still carries considerable morbidity, mortality and economic burden on health care system. At present, there is limited epidemiological data on UGIB and associated mortality from India. Aims: The aim was to study clinical, endoscopic profile, and associated mortality in patients presenting with UGIB. Materials and Methods: One hundred and fourteen patients came to Emergency Department with UGIB during the study period and were subjected to endoscopy to identify the etiology. The clinical and endoscopic profile was analyzed and mortality pattern was studied. Results: The mean age of patients was 49 ± 14.26. Majority of them were males (83.33%) and male to female ratio was 5:1. The most common cause of UGIB was portal hypertension related (Esophageal and gastric varices) seen in 56.14% of patients, peptic ulcer-related bleed was seen in 14.91% patients, gastric erosions were responsible for bleed in 12.28% patients, Mallory–Weiss tear was seen in 8.77% cases, gastric malignancy accounted for 4.38% of cases, Dieulafoy’s lesion was responsible for bleed in 1.75% cases and 1.75% had Duodenal polyp. The mortality rate because of UGIB in our cohort of patients was 21.05%. Conclusions: In the present study, variceal bleed was the most common cause of UGIB, followed by peptic ulcer bleed. Overall mortality was seen in 21.05% of cases; however, majority of mortality was seen in portal hypertension related bleeding

Case of renal sjögren's syndrome in elderly: A rare age with a rarer presentation

Sjögren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of exocrine glands, leading to dryness of the mouth and eyes. Although it can affect all age groups, it is relatively less common in older adults. Renal involvement is a rare, and as initial presentation even rarer reported, a serious complication of SS, which can have a significant impact on patients' quality of life, functional and physical status, and their overall survival. This is a case report of an elderly male patient who presented to us with rapidly progressive renal dysfunction and uremic symptoms, who was diagnosed as a case of SS with a high possibility of renal involvement. However, the patient succumbed to sepsis before the initiation of disease-modifying therapy. This case report emphasizes an extensive workup of unexplained renal dysfunction, even in geriatric patients, so that potentially manageable conditions like SS can be caught early, and allow early initiation of disease-modifying therapies that can slow down progression, and prevent life-threatening exacerbations of such diseases, which overall will reduce morbidity burden and improve quality of life of elderly patients

What patients do to counteract the symptoms of Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED): Effect of gender and severity of illness

Objectives: This study was carried out to assess different counteracting strategies used by patients with idiopathic Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED). Whether these strategies were influenced by gender or disease severity was also assessed. Materials and Methods: A total of 173 patients of idiopathic RLS/WED were included in this study. Their demographic data was recorded. Details regarding the RLS/WED and strategies that they used to counteract the symptoms were asked. The severity of RLS/WED was measured with the help of the Hindi version of international restless legs syndrome severity rating scale. They were asked to provide the details regarding the relief obtained from all the strategies they used on three-point scale: no relief, some relief, and complete relief. Results: Of the patients, 72% were females. Mean age of the subjects in this study was 39.6 ± 12.6 years, and male subjects were older than females. Four common strategies were reported by the patients to counter the sensations of RLS/WED: moving legs while in bed (85.5%), asking somebody to massage their legs or massaging legs themselves (76.9%), walking (53.2%), and tying a cloth/rope tightly on the legs (39.3%). Of all the patients who moved their legs, 6.7% did not experience any relief, 64.2% reported some relief, and 28.4% reported complete relief. Similarly, of all the patients who used "walking" to counteract symptoms, 50% reported complete relief, 44.5% reported some relief, and the rest did not experience any relief. Many of these patients reported that massage and tying a cloth/rope on legs brought greater relief than any of these strategies. Tying cloth on the leg was more common among females as compared to males (45.9% females vs. 23.5% males; χ2 = 7.54; P = 0.006), while patients with moderately severe to severe RLS/WED reported "moving legs in bed" (79.3% in mild to moderate RLS/WED; 91.8% in severe to very severe RLS; χ2 = 5.36; P = 0.02). Conclusion: Patients with RLS/WED use a variety of strategies to counteract symptoms. These strategies may be influenced by gender, disease severity, and cultural practices

Mortality pattern of elderly patients at a tertiary care hospital: A study from Sub-Himalayan region, Uttarakhand, India

Background: Currently, in developing countries like India, there is a paradigm shift in the mortality patterns of elderly from communicable to noncommunicable diseases. Objective: This study is aimed at providing an insight on mortality patterns of elderly patients within a 2-year period in a tertiary hospital, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Rishikesh, India. Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective review of mortality patterns of elderly patients from March 2016 to March 2018 occurring in the Department of General Medicine, in AIIMS, Rishikesh, India. Information derived from the Medical Records Department of AIIMS Rishikesh include age, sex, clinical history, diagnosis, duration, and cause of death. Results: During this period, a total of 1101 elderly (≥60 years) admissions were done in the Department of General Medicine, AIIMS Rishikesh. A total of 66 patients had expired during their hospital stay. Among this, 35 and 31 cases were elderly male and female patients, respectively, and therefore the ratio of male to female was 1.1:1.0. The peak age group was 60–64 years accounting for 23 patients (34.8%). The age range of patients was 60–94 years, while the modal and mean ages were 65 and 69 years, respectively, with 8.1 standard deviation. The most commonly encountered cause of mortality was cerebrovascular accident constituting 19 (28.8%) cases. The second majority of mortality cases were hypertensive disorders constituting 13 (19.7%) cases, and the third majority were septicemia and pneumonia accounting for 12 (18.2%) and 12 (18.2%) cases, respectively. Others include diabetes mellitus [metabolic disorder; 10 (15.2%) cases], acute renal failure [10 (15.2%) cases], ischemic heart disease or coronary artery disease [6 (9.1%) cases], while malignancies, tuberculosis, hepatitis, chronic liver disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease consisted of five cases (7.6%) each. Conclusion: Noncommunicable diseases particularly cerebrovascular diseases and hypertensive disorders were the most commonly encountered cause of elderly mortality in this region of North India, that is, the state of Uttarakhand. Notwithstanding a large percentage of mortality patterns also results from communicable diseases with septicemia and pneumonia as the third leading cause of mortality