Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) as a Reliable Tool for the Assessment of Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women

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Gloria Bonaccorsi1, Carlo Cervellati2, Enzo Grossi3, Enrica Fila1, Leo Massari4, Nicola Veronese5, Francesco Pio Cafarelli6, Giuseppe Guglielmi6, 7*

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) as a Reliable Tool for the Assessment of Fracture Risk in Postmenopausal Women (2018)

British Journal of Research ISSN 2394-3718

Abstract: Artificial neural networks (ANNs) are a computational tool, based on highly non-linear mathematics models with potential applications in the prediction of osteoporotic fractures.
Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the potential of ANNs analysis in the prediction of bone fragility fractures in post-menopausal women. ANNs prognostic performance in identifying vertebral morphometric deformity was compared with that of the widely used tool FRAX® in a sample of 587 Caucasian postmenopausal women underwent densitometry and morphometric analyses for the detection of vertebral fractures.
The analysis of areas under the curve (AUCs) showed that sensitivity for ANNs (74%) almost doubled that found for FRAX ® (38%), with the latter presenting a specificity higher than the proposed tool (96 vs. 77%). Overall, ANN-based analysis was able to highlight high-risk patients with a global higher accuracy (74%) compared to that obtained by FRAX (67%).
In conclusion, our data showed that compared to WHO’s algorithm ANNs had higher sensitivity in identifying vertebral deformity, thus suggesting a “promising role” in the prediction of osteoporotic fracture in postmenopausal women. However, further studies on larger sample are needed to definitely establish the clinical reliability of ANNs.

Notes: 1.Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Menopause and Osteoporosis Centre, University of Ferrara, Via Boschetto 29, 44124, Ferrara, Italy

2.Department of Biomedical and Specialist Surgical Sciences, Section of Medical Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genetics, University of Ferrara, Via Borsari 46, 44121, Ferrara, Italy

3.Villa Santa Maria Foundation, Via IV Novembre, 22038 Tavernerio (CO), Italy

4.Department of Morphology, Surgery and Experimental Medicine, Section of Orthopedic Clinic, University of Ferrara, Via Aldo Moro 8, 44124, Cona, Ferrara, Italy

5.National Research Council, Neuroscience Institute, Aging Branch, via Giustiniani, 2, 35128, Padova, Italy

6.Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Foggia University School of Medicine, Via L. Pinto, 1, Foggia, Italy

7.Department of Radiology, Scientific Institute Hospital “Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza”, San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy