In a remarkable feat in the health care sector, researchers from IIT Madras and Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, have developed AI tools that can help in the early detection and assessment of kidney diseases.
Experts enphasise the need to treat kidney disease early as it causes substantial morbidity, disability, and premature mortality. The burden of kidney disease is also rising in parallel with diabetes, hypertension and population ageing.
As per WHO, kidney disease is often asymptomatic until late stages, which is why regular testing is important for people at risk. In advanced or severe kidney disease, symptoms may include fatigue, breathlessness, generalised itchiness, leg swelling, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting.
What are the AI tools?
A machine learning model that uses clinical and laboratory information to predict the risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD); a deep learning system that automatically analyses CT scans and classifies them into four categories: normal kidney, kidney cyst, kidney stone and kidney tumour and a 3D imaging platform that recreates kidneys from CT scans to precisely assess tumour volume and the percentage of kidney involvement.
These AI tools aim to assist physicians by delivering consistent results quickly, especially in a fast-paced healthcare environment. As per the experts, they can enable early diagnosis and reduce the need for expensive interventions.
To assist in distinguishing healthy kidneys from cysts, stones and tumours, the CT image classifier has been trained with more than 12,000 images.
"These AI tools can help detect at-risk patients early and plan their treatment more effectively. The patient-specific imaging framework is of significant promise as it goes beyond the standard measurements to give a more comprehensive picture of the extent of the disease," said Jennifer Delighta, research scholar at IIT Madras, to PTI.
Can CKD risk be reduced?
WHO explains that the risk of developing CKD can be reduced by a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight and refraining from tobacco use. In people with diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, good control of blood pressure, blood glucose and blood lipids, alongside these lifestyle measures, can further help to reduce the risk of developing CKD.
For more, consult a health expert.
