Therapy Optimization for Viral Infections using Fuzzy Performance Index

Abstract

This Work concerns the application of optimization theory in the planning of pharmacological treatment of viral infections. The dynamics of the disease is modeled using Marchuk's formulation the model being extended to include the effect of treatment and to allow representation of the pathological consequences of the infection on the patient The proposed performance index is based on fuzzy sets to reflect a compromise between non-exaet subjective quantities such as patient well being as compared with quantities such as cost of medication that can be objectively measured The admissible controls are assumed to belong to the class of piecewise constant functions. The numerical results show a considerable improvement of the optimized drug administration policy, when compared to non-optimized policies, in terms of reduction in the achieved performance index.