A method for the graphical modeling of relative temporal constraints

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Sebastian Mate - , University Hospital at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Thomas Bürkle - , Bern University of Applied Sciences (Author)
  • Lorenz A Kapsner - , University Hospital at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Dennis Toddenroth - , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Marvin O Kampf - , University Hospital at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Martin Sedlmayr - , Institute for Medical Informatics and Biometry, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus (Author)
  • Ixchel Castellanos - , University Hospital at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Hans-Ulrich Prokosch - , University Hospital at the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)
  • Stefan Kraus - , Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Author)

Abstract

Searching for patient cohorts in electronic patient data often requires the definition of temporal constraints between the selection criteria. However, beyond a certain degree of temporal complexity, the non-graphical, form-based approaches implemented in current translational research platforms may be limited when modeling such constraints. In our opinion, there is a need for an easily accessible and implementable, fully graphical method for creating temporal queries. We aim to respond to this challenge with a new graphical notation. Based on Allen's time interval algebra, it allows for modeling temporal queries by arranging simple horizontal bars depicting symbolic time intervals. To make our approach applicable to complex temporal patterns, we apply two extensions: with duration intervals, we enable the inference about relative temporal distances between patient events, and with time interval modifiers, we support counting and excluding patient events, as well as constraining numeric values. We describe how to generate database queries from this notation. We provide a prototypical implementation, consisting of a temporal query modeling frontend and an experimental backend that connects to an i2b2 system. We evaluate our modeling approach on the MIMIC-III database to demonstrate that it can be used for modeling typical temporal phenotyping queries.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number103314
JournalJournal of biomedical informatics
Volume100
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2019
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85074554772
ORCID /0000-0002-9888-8460/work/166764824

Keywords

Keywords

  • Algorithms, Computer Graphics, Computer Simulation, Databases, Factual, Humans, Information Storage and Retrieval, Time