A decision tree for early differentiation between obstructive and non-obstructive jaundice.
We present a method for early differentiation between obstructive and non-obstructive jaundice. On the basis of 14 variables (clinical data and clinical chemical tests, all available within 48 h) a simple decision tree or flow chart has been constructed. The diagnostic yield was as follows: 857 of 982 consecutive jaundiced patients (87%) in a data base and 98 of 108 patients in an independent test sample (91%) were correctly classified. Decision trees for the differentiation between benign or malignant causes within the obstructive group and between acute or chronic causes within the non-obstructive group are also presented. The resulting four-way classification was correct for 77% of the patients in the data base and for 72% of the patients in the test sample. The decision trees are compared with previous methods founded on Bayes' rule and logistic discrimination. The decision trees enable a quick and reliable classification of jaundiced patients, thus providing a valid basis for rational planning of the further diagnostic study.
Malchow-Møller
A
A
Dept. of Medicine, Hvidovre Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Thomsen
C
C
Hilden
J
J
Matzen
P
P
Mindeholm
L
L
Juhl
E
E
D002779:Cholestasis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003201:Computers; D003663:Decision Trees; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D007565:Jaundice / Q000175:diagnosis*