Using a Machine Learning Approach to Study the Impact of MS Disease-Modifying Treatments on Health and Lifespan

Start Term
End Term
Funding Amount
$29,976
Affiliation(s)
University of British Columbia
Geographic Region(s) / Province(s)
British Columbia
Researcher(s)
Dr. Ehsan Karim
Research Priorities
Life-modifying therapies
Impact Goal(s)
Advance Treatment and Care

Summary:

  • To study the long-term health effects of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), researchers use administrative health databases to gain insight on health care service use (i.e., physician visits, hospital stays, prescription medications). These databases are informative, but they lack details on factors that could influence health including lifestyle habits, such as smoking and exercise. 
  • Dr. Ehsan Karim and team aim to use a novel machine learning tool, called high-dimensional propensity score, to more clearly capture how DMTs affect the health and lifespan of people living with multiple sclerosis (MS) in Canada. 
  • This research will lead to a better understanding of the long-term effects of DMTs and allow for informed decision making by healthcare providers and people with MS on their treatment plan.

Project Description: 
Over the years, there have been several highly effective DMTs developed for MS. To understand the long-term impact of these DMTs on the health and lifespan of people living with MS, researchers use large administrative health databases to gain insight on health care service use (i.e., physician visits, hospital stays, prescription medications) for people with MS over time. However, these databases often lack details related to lifestyle behaviours, such as smoking or exercise, therefore providing an incomplete picture of how DMTs affect the lives of people living with MS.

Dr. Ehsan Karim and team aim to use a novel machine learning tool, called high-dimensional propensity score, to provide a clearer picture of how DMTs impact the health and lifespan of people with MS. Using administrative health data from British Columbia, the team aims to refine this tool to improve MS care.

Potential Impact: The findings of this study will provide a better understanding of long-term health effects of DMTs and allow healthcare providers and people with MS to make more informed treatment decisions that will enhance their overall quality of life.

Project Status: In Progress