یک سیستم متخصص در شبکه های عصبی برای تشخیص دیابت A Neural Network Based Expert System for the Diagnosis of Diabetes Mellitus

1 Introduction Diabetes is a disease that occurs as a result of the glucose levels being too high due to the absence of, or inadequate amount of insulin in the body. It is a defect in the body’s ability to convert glucose (sugar) to energy. Glucose is the main source of fuel for our body. Diabetes develops when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient quantities of insulin (Type 1 diabetes) or the insulin produced is defective and cannot move glucose into the cells (Type 2 diabetes) [1]. Either insulin is not produced in sufficient quantities or the insulin produced is defective and cannot move the glucose into the cells. The damage that is caused by diabetes can be very severe. It can cause damage to the eyes (blindness), the kidney (kidney failure), the heart (heart attacks), stroke and even lead to amputation [2]. The IDF (International Diabetes Foundation) has stated that 415 million people have diabetes in the world and more than 14 million people have it in Africa. Out of this 14 million Africans, a whopping 1.56 million cases are from Nigeria alone where 1.9% of the adult population has been diagnosed of the same. Early detection however, can help to bring it under control. The importance of early detection cannot be over emphasized in the treatment of diabetes. It is an important step in the process of recovery for the patient [1]. An early detection of the diabetes mellitus will help in ensuring that the symptoms do not intensify to the level of the severe cases. The healthcare sector has seen the rise of some of the most promising and groundbreaking startups in the technology world. These innovations have primarily been driven by the advent of software and mobility of digital devices allowing the health sector to automate many of the pen and paper-based operations and processes that currently slow down service delivery. More recently, we’re seeing software become far more intelligent and independent. These new capabilities (studied under the banner of artificial intelligence and machine learning) are accelerating the pace of innovation in healthcare. Thus far, the applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare have enabled the industry to take on some of its biggest challenges in these areas which include pharmacy, genetics and diagnosis of diseases.