The tool was tested on data from over 10 million U.S. veterans and the findings were published in Gastroenterology. The researchers believe that incorporating K-ECAN into EHR could alert healthcare providers about patients at an increased risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, potentially leading to increased screening and a decrease in preventable deaths. The study was funded by the Department of Defense and National Institutes of Health.
Key takeaways:
- A team of researchers led by Joel Rubenstein, M.D., M.S., developed an artificial intelligence tool called K-ECAN to predict the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma and gastric cardia adenocarcinoma.
- The tool uses basic information available in the electronic health record (EHR) to determine an individual's risk, and is more accurate than published guidelines or previously validated prediction tools.
- K-ECAN can identify people at elevated risk of these cancers, regardless of whether they have symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a known risk factor.
- Incorporating K-ECAN into the EHR could alert providers to patients at increased risk, potentially leading to increased screening and a decrease in preventable deaths from these cancers.