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Identification and Quantification of Jaundice by Trans-Conjunctiva Optical Imaging Using a Human Brain-like
Takuya Kihara1, Takaaki Sugihara1, Suguru Ikeda1
1Division of Gastroenterology and Nephrology, Department of Multidisciplinary Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8504, Japan.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 27, 2023
Summary
This study developed a smartphone-based method to detect jaundice using conjunctiva imaging. The Algorithm Based on Human Brain (ABHB) accurately identifies hyperbilirubinemia, offering a potential tool for remote diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Medical Imaging
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Jaundice, or hyperbilirubinemia, is a critical indicator of hepatobiliary disorders.
- Accurate jaundice identification is challenging, particularly in telemedicine settings.
- Current methods often require specialized equipment or in-person assessment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel method for identifying and quantifying jaundice using trans-conjunctiva optical imaging.
- To assess the feasibility of using smartphone cameras for jaundice detection.
- To correlate imaging data with total serum bilirubin (TSB) levels.
Main Methods:
- Prospective enrollment of patients with jaundice (TSB ≥3 mg/dL) and controls (TSB <3 mg/dL).
- Bilateral conjunctiva imaging using a standard smartphone camera under normal lighting.
- Image processing via an Algorithm Based on Human Brain (ABHB) to derive Maximum Hue Degree (MHD) in HSL color space.
Main Results:
- The study included 26 jaundice patients and 25 controls.
- An optimal MHD cutoff of 40.8 demonstrated 81% sensitivity and 80% specificity for jaundice detection (AUROC 0.842).
- MHD showed moderate correlation with TSB levels (rS = 0.528, p < 0.001), enabling TSB estimation.
Conclusions:
- Smartphone-based conjunctiva imaging with ABHB effectively identifies jaundice without specialized hardware or deep learning.
- This technology presents a promising, accessible diagnostic tool for telemedicine and self-monitoring of jaundice.
- Further development could enhance remote diagnostic capabilities for liver and biliary conditions.
