AIDA - AN INTERACTIVE DIABETES ADVISER

AIDA is a prototype computer system that incorporates a model of gluco se-insulin interaction in type I diabetes mellitus alongside a knowled ge-based system to make glycaemic predictions and to generate insulin dosage adjustment advice. The model attempts to reflect the underlying (patho)physiology of insulin action and carbohydrate absorption in qu antitative terms. The prototype is intended to be used as a decision s upport system by clinical personnel in the context of day-to-day manag ement of insulin-dependent diabetic patients. It is designed for use d uring consultations, as a simulator of patient response following chan ged insulin and dietary regimen and as a system for providing educatio n on planning insulin therapy. Joe Daniels is a 41-year-old, 70-kg, ma le insulin-dependent diabetic patient who was diagnosed as being diabe tic in 1972, at the age of 22. Joe recently found that he was having h ypoglycaemic symptoms. Using self-monitoring blood glucose equipment, glycaemic levels below 3.0 mmol/l were recorded at least once a week, while hyperglycaemic readings (>16 mmol/l) were observed two to three times per week. Joe came into hospital to have his glycaemic control i mproved, as doctors were concerned about the risks of him suffering a serious hypoglycaemic attack. Using some of the data collected by Joe while in hospital, we will demonstrate how AIDA might be applied eithe r in a clinical setting to provide therapeutic advice or in an educati onal setting to interactively teach diabetic patients about their diab etes and educate them to adjust their own insulin injections and diet.