A new study from China found that an artificial intelligence (AI) tool worked just as well as experienced doctors in adjusting insulin for patients with type 2 diabetes in the hospital.
In the study, 149 patients were split into two groups. One group got insulin dose advice from an AI system called iNCDSS, and the other group was treated by doctors alone. Patients using the AI tool spent 76.4% of the time in the healthy blood sugar range, while the doctor-only group spent 73.6% of the time in that range. This means the AI tool was just as effective as doctors.
The AI tool uses patients’ health records to give real-time, personalized insulin dose suggestions. It covers common insulin plans like once-a-day (basal), mixed insulin, and multiple doses (basal-bolus). Over five days, both groups had similar safety results.
Doctors were impressed with the AI system. They followed 98.9% of the AI’s insulin suggestions and gave it high ratings for being easy to use, safe, and saving time.
This trial took place in three hospitals in China and involved patients aged around 64 who had moderate blood sugar levels. All patients used continuous glucose monitors to track their sugar levels. The AI tool automatically adjusted insulin doses daily, and doctors reviewed the suggestions before giving the doses.
Even though more research is needed to test this tool in different hospitals, experts say this AI system could be helpful, especially in places with fewer diabetes specialists. It may help improve care for hospitalized patients with diabetes.
Source: medpagetoday
