Comparative Effectiveness of Different Combinations of Treatment Interventions in Patients with Stroke at the Convalescence Stage Based on the Markov Decision Process.

Yejing Shen,Tingting Lu,Mengyun Hu,Junying Liang,Qianglong Chen,Ruijie Ma,Qinqin Ma,Yanyang Zhang

doi:10.1155/2020/8961341

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different combinations of interventions in patients with stroke at the convalescence stage based on the electronic health records (EHRs) by using the Markov decision process (MDP) theory and explore the feasibility of the Markov model in the real-world study (RWS). Methods Screening was conducted for patients with stroke at the convalescence stage who were admitted to the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University from January 2012 to January 2017 based on the EHRs. The relevant clinical data were extracted, and the appropriate conversion was made (state-action-reward) according to the Markov model. The transformed data were analysed and solved by the MDP to obtain the best interventions for patients with various stroke recovery periods. Results 926 patients with stroke at the convalescence stage were initially selected. And according to the inclusion exclusion criteria, 854 patients were screened. Through the MDP, we obtained the following results: (1)when the patients with stroke at the convalescence stage have a medical history, but no complications, and mild neurological impairment, ≥66-year- and 18–45-year-old patients are advised to choose acupuncture treatment. 46–65-year-old patients are advised to choose rehabilitation treatment. When patients with moderate to severe neurological impairment, patients are advised to choose rehabilitation, Chinese herbal decoction, and acupuncture combined therapy. (2) Without complications or medical history, patients who are ≥ 66 years old are recommended to choose rehabilitation treatment when the nerve function impairment is mild; rehabilitation and acupuncture treatment are recommended when moderate and severe injuries are caused. (3) The combination of rehabilitation, Chinese herbal decoction, and acupuncture treatment is recommended for patients with phlegm and blood stasis. Acupuncture treatment is recommended for patients with mild impairment of nerve function in qi deficiency and blood stasis type. Rehabilitation, Chinese herbal decoction, and acupuncture treatment are recommended for moderate-severe injuries. Conclusions The MDP makes it possible to study the effectiveness of various treatment methods in stroke patients who are at the convalescence stage. Further exploratory studies using MDP theory in other areas in which complex interventions are common would be worthwhile.

Highlights

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) belongs to the real-world study (RWS) and is one of the clinically effective studies, known as a “patient-centered outcome study.” CER combines such findings as the patients’ basic characteristics, economic conditions, and personal preferences and compares the advantages and disadvantages of various current medical measures to determine the best treatment plan for individuals [1, 2]
Because of its advantages in optimizing medical resources and selecting methods of diagnosis and treatments, Markov decision process (MDP) theory has played an important role in decision-making in the context of medical equipment management, hospital management, operation time, and adjustment of treatment strategies [5,6,7,8]
Data Collection. e hospital information staff and clinical professionals were responsible for the data collection from the electronic health records (EHRs), and 926 patients were initially selected. e inclusion criteria were a primary diagnosis of atherosclerotic cerebral infarction, cerebral embolism, or cerebral haemorrhage and between 30 and 180 days after the onset of stroke

Summary

Introduction

Comparative effectiveness research (CER) belongs to the RWS and is one of the clinically effective studies, known as a “patient-centered outcome study.” CER combines such findings as the patients’ basic characteristics, economic conditions, and personal preferences and compares the advantages and disadvantages of various current medical measures to determine the best treatment plan for individuals [1, 2]. CER combines such findings as the patients’ basic characteristics, economic conditions, and personal preferences and compares the advantages and disadvantages of various current medical measures to determine the best treatment plan for individuals [1, 2]. E MDP refers to the decision-maker’s observation of the stochastic dynamic system with Markovity, periodically or continuously, and making decisions sequentially [4]. E decision-maker makes new decisions based on the newly observed state and repeats this action . Because of its advantages in optimizing medical resources and selecting methods of diagnosis and treatments, MDP theory has played an important role in decision-making in the context of medical equipment management, hospital management, operation time, and adjustment of treatment strategies [5,6,7,8]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion