Diagnostic performance of artificial intelligence algorithms for detection of pulmonary involvement by COVID-19 based on portable radiography

• Published in: Medicina clinica (English ed.) Vol. 160; no. 2; pp. 78 - 81
• Main Authors: Cobeñas, Ricardo Luis, de Vedia, María, Florez, Juan, Jaramillo, Daniela, Ferrari, Luciana, Re, Ricardo
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: 20.01.2023
• ISSN: 2387-0206
• DOI: 10.1016/j.medcle.2022.04.020

Introduction and objectivesTo evaluate the diagnostic performance of different artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the identification of pulmonary involvement by SARS-CoV-2 based on portable chest radiography (RX). Material and methodsProspective observational study that included patients admitted for suspected COVID-19 infection in a university hospital between July and November 2020. The reference standard of pulmonary involvement by SARS-CoV-2 comprised a positive PCR test and low-tract respiratory symptoms. Results493 patients were included, 140 (28%) with positive PCR and 32 (7%) with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. The AI-B algorithm had the best diagnostic performance (areas under the ROC curve AI-B 0.73, vs. AI-A 0.51, vs. AI-C 0.57). Using a detection threshold greater than 55%, AI-B had greater diagnostic performance than the specialist [(area under the curve of 0.68 (95% CI 0.64-0.72), vs. 0.54 (95% CI 0.49-0.59)]. ConclusionAI algorithms based on portable RX enabled a diagnostic performance comparable to human assessment for the detection of SARS-CoV-2 lung involvement.