Hallucination in artificial-intelligence-assisted diagnosis of arthritis: a case report

Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly being integrated into clinical practice, offering potential enhancements in diagnostic accuracy and clinical efficiency. In this case report, a diagnostic attempt assisted by ChatGPT-4o in a 51-year-old female patient presenting with hand arthralgia is described. The AI-generated interpretation demonstrated hallucination-namely, the fabrication of unsupported or inaccurate information-in the analysis of radiologic and laboratory findings, as well as in treatment recommendations. This case underscores the importance of exercising caution when applying AI tools in clinical contexts. To ensure diagnostic accuracy, patient safety, and ethical responsibility, expert oversight and multi-step verification processes are essential in the deployment of AI-generated clinical outputs.