Development of a machine learning-based predictive nomogram for screening children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a pseudo-longitudinal study of 223,195 children in the United States

Abstract

Background: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a prevalent chronic rheumatological condition in children, with reported prevalence ranging from 12. 8 to 45 per 100,000 and incidence rates from 7.8 to 8.3 per 100,000 person-years. The diagnosis of JIA can be challenging due to its symptoms, such as joint pain and swelling, which can be similar to other conditions (e.g., joint pain can be associated with growth in children and adolescents). Methods: The National Survey of Children's Health (NSCH) database (2016-2021) of the United States was used in the current study. The NSCH database is funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration and Child Health Bureau and surveyed in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia. A total of 223,195 children aged 0 to 17 were analyzed in this study. A least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) logistic regression and stepwise logistic regression were used to select the predictors, which were used to create the nomograms to predict JIA. Results: A total of 555 (248.7 per 100,000) JIA cases were reported in the NSCH. In the LASSO model, the receiver operating characteristic curve demonstrated excellent discrimination, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.9002 in the training set and 0.8639 in the validation set. Of the 16 variables selected by LASSO, 13 overlapped with those from the stepwise model. The regression achieved an AUC of 0.9130 in the training set and 0.8798 in the validation set. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 79.1%, 90.2%, and 90.2% in the training set, and 69.0%, 90.9%, and 90.8% in the validation set. Discussion: Using two well-validated predictor models, we developed nomograms for the early prediction of JIA in children based on the NSCH database. The tools are also available for parents and health professionals to utilize these nomograms. Our easy-to-use nomograms are not intended to replace the standard diagnostic methods. Still, they are designed to assist parents, clinicians, and researchers in better-estimating children's potential risk of JIA. We advise individuals utilizing our nomogram model to be mindful of potential pre-existing selection biases that may affect referrals and diagnoses.