A machine learning approach to support triaging of primary versus secondary headache patients using complete blood count.

ABSTRACT: Headaches account for up to 4.5% of emergency department visits, where they present a significant diagnostic challenge. While primary headaches are benign, secondary headaches can be life-threatening. It is essential to rapidly differentiate between primary and secondary headaches as the latter require immediate diagnostic work-up. Current assessment relies on subjective measures; time constraints can result in overuse of diagnostic neuroimaging, prolonging diagnosis, and adding to economic burden. There is therefore an unmet need for a time- and cost-efficient, quantitative triaging tool to guide further diagnostic testing. Routine blood tests may provide important diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers indicating underlying headache causes. In this retrospective study (approved by the UK M

SUBMITTER: Yang F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9987784 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature