Predictive ability of current machine learning algorithms for type 2 diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis

Abstract

Aims/introduction: Recently, an increasing number of cohort studies have suggested using machine learning (ML) to predict type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, its predictive ability remains inconclusive. This meta-analysis evaluated the current ability of ML algorithms for predicting incident type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Materials and methods: We systematically searched longitudinal studies published from 1 January 1950 to 17 May 2020 using MEDLINE and EMBASE. Included studies had to compare ML's classification with the actual incidence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, and present data on the number of true positives, false positives, true negatives and false negatives. The dataset for these four values was pooled with a hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic and a bivariate random effects model.

Results: There were 12 eligible studies. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.67-0.90), 0.82 [95% CI 0.74-0.88], 4.55 [95% CI 3.07-6.75] and 0.23 [95% CI 0.13-0.42], respectively. The area under the summarized receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.88 (95% CI 0.85-0.91).

Conclusions: Current ML algorithms have sufficient ability to help clinicians determine whether individuals will develop type 2 diabetes mellitus in the future. However, persons should be cautious before changing their attitude toward future diabetes risk after learning the result of the diabetes prediction test using ML algorithms.

Keywords: Machine learning; Meta-analysis; Type 2 diabetes mellitus.