Abstract:
A treatment effect prediction system, comprising: a processor; and a memory, under control of the processor, including instructions enabling the processor to carry out operations comprising: determining a patient pathological condition information, which represents a feature of pathological condition of a patient, based on diagnostic data of the patient; accessing a database of stored pathological condition information and corresponding treatment effects occurring when predetermined treatment is provided; and retrieving, from the database, a specific treatment effect corresponding to the one of the stored pathological condition information that is similar to the patient pathological condition information, is disclosed. A treatment effect prediction method and a computer program product thereof are also disclosed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a treatment effect prediction system for predicting a treatment effect of treating a patient, a treatment effect prediction method for predicting a treatment effect of treating a patient, and a computer program product thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     When treating an illness, physicians generally perform various examination in addition to than interview. Then, the physician selects a treatment method based on the diagnostic data included in the clinical findings and the obtained examination result and relying on his own experience and perception. 
     The data used to analyze pathological conditions arising from causes that may manifest various symptoms of illness that are described in a patient&#39;s subjective complaints are normally only those examination values that can be measured directly, however, it may be difficult to precisely grasp and predict the patient&#39;s pathological condition and course just using the examination values depending on the disease. In the case of diabetes, for example, blood sugar level is an indicator of the severity of illness, however, the blood sugar level is nothing more than an examination result, and pathological conditions such as insulin secretory defect, peripheral insulin resistance, impaired hepatic glucose uptake, and excessive hepatic glucose release are still difficult to grasp from clinical findings even for specialists systems have been developed that support examination and treatment by providing the physician with information (treatment supporting information) useful in providing treatment (for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,421,633 and 5,971,922). Conventional systems only have functions for monitoring examination results, and simply providing drug dosages according to the examination results, and are fully utilized by physicians, but they can not provide treatment support information that can be used to determine the pathological condition and course of individual patients. 
     In the medical field, information concerning treatment effects (what level of treatment, at what stage to perform treatment and the like) is of the utmost importance, and a great deal of data has been acquired relating to treatment effects when specific treatment methods are used. In the case of cancer, for example, much data has been collected concerning the relationship between treatment method (surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and the like) and treatment effect (5-year survival rate and the like) in accordance with the progression and type of cancer. Furthermore, in the pharmaceutical field, data has been collected concerning the relationship between the treatment period and drug efficacy regarding subjects of different sex and age. It is possible to predict a particular level of treatment effect based on these data. 
     These data are based on the type of disease and examination values that are directly measurable, and although these are used as yardsticks to some degree in treatment effect, there is a loss of accuracy, and predicting treatment effect is often still dependent on the experience of the physician. 
     SUMMARY 
     The scope of the present invention is defined solely by the appended claims, and is not affected to any degree by the statements within this summary. 
     A first aspect of the present invention is a treatment effect prediction system, comprising: pathological condition information obtaining means for obtaining patient pathological condition information which is generated from diagnostic data of a patient and represents a feature of pathological condition of the patient; finding means for finding stored pathological condition information which is similar to the patient pathological condition information obtained by the pathological condition information obtaining means, from a database which stores the stored pathological condition information and a corresponding treatment effect occurring when predetermined treatment is provided; and treatment effect obtaining means for obtaining the treatment effect which corresponds to the stored pathological condition information found by the finding means from the database. 
     A second aspect of the present invention is a treatment effect prediction system, comprising: a processor; and a memory, under control of the processor, including instructions enabling the processor to carry out operations comprising: determining a patient pathological condition information, which represents a feature of pathological condition of a patient, based on diagnostic data of the patient; accessing a database of stored pathological condition information and corresponding treatment effects occurring when predetermined treatment is provided; and retrieving, from the database, a specific treatment effect corresponding to the one of the stored pathological condition information that is similar to the patient pathological condition information. 
     A third aspect of the present invention is a treatment effect prediction method, comprising: determining a patient pathological condition information, which represents a feature of pathological condition of a patient, based on diagnostic data of the patient; accessing a database of stored pathological condition information and corresponding treatment effects occurring when predetermined treatment is provided; and retrieving, from the database, a specific treatment effect corresponding to the one of the stored pathological condition information that is similar to the patient pathological condition information. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention is a computer program product for the prediction of treatment effects, comprising: a computer readable medium; and computer instructions, on the computer readable medium, for enabling a computer to perform the operation of: determining a patient pathological condition information, which represents a feature of pathological condition of a patient, based on diagnostic data of the patient; accessing a database of stored pathological condition information and corresponding treatment effects occurring when predetermined treatment is provided; and retrieving, from the database, a specific treatment effect corresponding to the one of the stored pathological condition information that is similar to the patient pathological condition information. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram showing the hardware structure of an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows the overall structure of an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow chart showing an example of treatment effect prediction by the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram showing an example of the information acquiring means in the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a function block diagram showing the overall structure of an example of a model of a living body used by the embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing the structure of a pancreas model in an example of the living body model used in an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing the structure of a liver model in an example of the living body model used in an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a block diagram showing the structure of an insulin kinetics model in the example of a living body mode used in the embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a block diagram showing the structure of a peripheral tissue model in an example of the living body model used in an embodiment of the system of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a graph showing the glucose absorption speed used as an input in the example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a graph showing simulated blood sugar levels in an example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a graph showing simulated blood insulin concentration in an example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a graph showing simulated hepatic glucose uptake in an example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a graph showing simulated hepatic glucose release in an example of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a graph showing reference blood sugar levels; 
         FIG. 16  is a graph showing reference blood insulin concentrations; 
         FIG. 17  shows the overall structure of an example of a living body model used in the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  shows data collected for one random patient; 
         FIG. 19  shows an example of a template created based on data collected for many patients; 
         FIG. 20  shows an example of a template when different treatments are proposed for the same pathological condition information; 
         FIG. 21  shows an example of a method for searching a database using the pathological condition information of a specific patient in a query; 
         FIG. 22  shows an example of a screen displayed by a display means; and 
         FIG. 23  shows the parameter set estimating process using a genetic algorithm. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. 
     A system  100  of the present embodiment predicts the treatment effect that can be expected for a patient treated by a therapy by means of a computer, and is configured by a computer  10   a  that mainly includes a body  110 , display  120 , and input device  130 . The body  110  is mainly configured by a central processing unit (CPU)  110   a , ROM  110   b , RAM  110   c , hard disk  110   d , reading device  110   e , I/O interface  110   f , and image output interface  110   h ; and the CPU  110   a , ROM  110   b , RAM  110   c , hard disk  110   d , reading device  110   e , I/O interface  110   f , and image output interface  110   h  are connected a bus 110 i  so as be capable of data communication. 
     The CPU  110   a  is capable of executing computer programs stored in the ROM  110   b  and computer programs loaded in the RAM  110   c . Each function block described later is realized when the CPU  110   a  executes an application program  140   a  also described later, such that the computer  100   a  functions as the simulation system  100 . 
     The ROM  110   b  may be configured by a mask ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM and the like, and stores the computer programs executed by the CPU  110   a  and the data used by these programs. 
     The RAM  110   c  may be configured by an SRAM, DRAM and the like. The RAM  110   c  is used to read the computer programs stored in the ROM  110   b  and on the hard disk  110   d . The RAM  110   c  is also used a work area for the CPU  110   a  when the computer programs are executed. 
     The hard disk  110   d  contains an installed operating system and application programs and the like, and various types of computer programs executed by the CPU  110   a  as well as data used in the execution of those computer programs. The application program  140   a , which is described later, is also installed on the hard disk  110   d . The hard disk  110   d  also stores databases DB, which are described later, and these databases DB are accessible by the CPU  110   a.    
     The reading device  110   e  is configured by a floppy disk drive, CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive and the like, and reads computer programs and data recorded on a portable recording medium  140 . The portable recording medium  140  stores an application program  140   a  that enables a computer to function as the simulation system of the present embodiment, and the computer  100   a  can read the application program  140   a  from the portable recording medium  140 , and the application program  140   a  can be installed on the hard disk  110   d.    
     The application program  140   a  need not be provided on the portable recording medium  140 , an as much as it may also be provided from an external device connected to the computer  100   a  so as to be capable of communication via an electric communication line (either wire lineor wireless). For example, the application program  140   a  may be stored ahead of time on the hard disk of a server computer connected to the Internet, such that the computer  100   a  can access the server computer, download the computer program, and install the computer program on the hard disk  110   d.    
     Furthermore, an operating system for providing a graphical user interface environment, such as, for example, Microsoft Windows (registered trademark) or the like, is installed on the hard disk  110   d . In the following description, the application program  140   a  of the present embodiment operates in the environment of this operating system. 
     The I/O interface  110   f  is configured by, for example, a serial interface such as a USB, IEEE1394, RS-232C or the like, parallel interface such as a SCSI, IDE, IEEE1284 or the like, and analog interface such as a D/A converter, A/D converter or the like. The input device  130  including a keyboard and mouse is connected to the I/O interface  10   f , such that data can be input to the computer  100   a  by a user using the input device  130 . 
     The image output interface  110   h  is connected to the display  120  configured by an LCD, CRT or the like, such that image signals corresponding to the image data provided by the CPU  110   a  are out put to the display  120 . The display  120  displays the image (screen) in accordance with the input image signals. 
     The computer  100   a  functions as a system  100  provided with the various function blocks shown in  FIG. 2 , when the CPU  110   a  executes the application program  140   a . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the system  100  includes the function blocks of an input means  200  for receiving patient diagnostic data input, pathological condition information obtaining means  300  for obtaining pathological condition information indicating the characteristics of the pathological condition of a patient, finding means  400  for finding pathological condition information similar to the pathological condition information obtained by the pathological condition information obtaining means  300  from databases storing mutually associated treatment effects when a particular treatment method is used for the patient, treatment effect obtaining means  500  for obtaining treatment effects associated with a pathological condition from a database, and a display means  600  for displaying the obtained treatment effects. 
     According to this system, patient treatment effects can be predicted as follows. As shown in  FIG. 3 , patient diagnostic data are input via the input means  200 , and the input data are received by the CPU  110   a  (step S 1 ). The diagnostic data are obtained from various types of examinations normally performed using the blood and urine of the patient in order to learn the internal conditions and levels of the patient; in the case of diabetes, for example, such data include the blood sugar level, blood insulin concentration and the like. 
     The CPU  100   a  prepares pathological condition information endemic to a patient using the diagnostic data. This pathological condition information is information related to the pathological condition, including causes of various symptoms of illness appearing as subjective symptoms, whereas conditions associated with the results of diagnostic data and the results themselves are different information. In the case of diabetes, for example, blood sugar level is an indicator of the severity of the disease, however, the blood sugar level is nothing more than an examination result, and information related to pathological conditions such as insulin secretory defect, peripheral insulin resistance, impaired hepatic glucose uptake, and excessive hepatic glucose release are of extreme importance to treatment. “Pathological condition information” can be narrowly defined as “quantitatively understood pathological condition,” and can be broadly defined as “quantitatively understood pathological condition and patient information including diagnostic values.” In the case of diabetes, for example, there is pathological condition information such as insulin secretory defect, peripheral insulin resistance, impaired peripheral glucose uptake, impaired hepatic glucose uptake, and excessive hepatic glucose release, and these types of information together with the age, sex, weight, HbAlc, waist diameter, and blood pressure of the patient and the like are included in the broad definition of pathological condition. In the present Specification, the narrow definition of pathological condition is used unless otherwise specified. 
     Specifically, pathological condition information can be obtained by the pathological condition information obtaining means  300 , which is configured by a biological model driving means  310  for simulating the behavior of a living body using a biological model realized by a mathematical model having a plurality of parameters of organ functions, parameter obtaining means  320  for obtaining parameters of a biological model appropriate the patient based on diagnostic data input via the input means  200 , and pathological condition information generating means  330  for generating pathological condition information of a patient based on parameters obtained by the parameter obtaining means  320 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     The CPU  110   a  accesses the database DB that stores mutually associated treatment effects when using specific treatment methods for the patient and pathological condition information specific to that patient, and finds the pathological condition information similar to the pathological condition information obtained in step S 2  (by the pathological condition information obtaining means  300 ) (step S 3 ). Although described in detail later, a plurality of patient pathological condition information, and treatment results when specific treatment methods were used for those patient conditions are mutually associated and stored ahead of time in the database DB. Treatment methods include the means used in the treatment of illness, including, for example, surgery, exercise, dietary treatment and the like in addition to the typical drug treatment methods. These treatment methods may be used individually or in various combinations. Treatment methods for diabetes, for example, can include dietary treatment, exercise program, sulfonyl urea, fast-acting insulin secretory accelerator, insulin resistance enhancer, glucose absorption inhibitor, manufactures insulin and multiple combinations thereof. Since different treatment methods can be used for the same pathological condition, a number of templates that multiply the number of treatment methods used for each pathological condition information in a plurality of pathological condition information that can be stored in the database DB. 
       FIG. 18  shows data collected for one random patient. The data hypothesize diabetes, and the vertical axis is the extent of control inefficacy; consider insulin secretory defect, peripheral insulin resistance, impaired hepatic glucose uptake, and excessive hepatic glucose release. The extent of control inefficacy is numerized to a suitable numeric value according to the degree of insulin secretory defect, such that smaller number represents greater treatment effect than bigger number. 
       FIG. 19  shows an example of a template created based on data collected for many patients. This example, shows the degree of treatment effect obtained when a patient with a similar pathological condition was treated in the past. The degree indicates the number of collected past examples in which a specific treatment effect (the treatment effect may be numerized like the extent of control inefficacy, the blood sugar level diagnostic values may be allocated within a predetermined range) is obtained. 
       FIG. 20  shows an example of a template when different treatments are proposed for the same pathological condition information. 
     The previously mentioned finding is accomplished by using the pathological condition information obtained in step S 2  as a query, and the CPU  110   a  determines whether or not pathological condition information similar to this pathological condition information is stored in the database DB. When similar pathological condition information is stored in the database DB, the CPU  110   a  obtains the treatment effects corresponding to this similar pathological condition information from the database DB, and displays the information on the system display  120  (step S 5 ), whereupon the process ends. When similar pathological condition information is not stored in the database DB, the CPU  110   a  does not display a treatment effect, and the process ends. 
     The explanation above is a summary of the treatment effect prediction of the system of the present embodiment, and the main processes are described in detail below using diabetes as an example. 
     1. Obtaining Pathological Condition Information 
       FIG. 5  is a function block diagram showing the overall structure of an example of a biological model used by the embodiment of the system of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the biological model used by the system of the present embodiment is configured by a pancreas block  1 , liver block  2 , insulin kinetics block  3 , and peripheral tissue block  4 , and each of the block has an input and an output. That is, the pancreas block  1  has blood glucose concentration  6  as an input, and insulin secretion rate  7  as an output. The liver block  2  has digestive tract glucose absorption  5 , blood sugar level  6  and insulin secretion rate as inputs, and net glucose release  8  and liver-processed insulin  9  as out puts. The insulin kinetics block  3  has liver-processed insulin  9  as an input, and peripheral tissue insulin concentration  10  as outputs. The peripheral tissue block  4  has net glucose release  8  and peripheral tissue insulin concentration  10  as inputs, and blood sugar level  6  as an output. The glucose absorption  5  is externally provided data; this function can be realized, for example, by inputting diagnostic data by a user using the input device  130 . These function blocks  1  through  4  are realized when the CPU  110   a  executes the application program  140   a.    
     As previously described, the means  300  for obtaining pathological condition information is configured by a biological model driving means  310  for simulating the behavior of a living body using a biological model realized by a mathematical model having a plurality of parameters of organ functions, parameter obtaining means  320  for obtaining parameters of a biological model appropriate to the patient based on diagnostic data input via the input means  200 , and pathological condition information generating means  330  for generating pathological condition information of a patient based on parameters obtained by the parameter obtaining means  320 , and the computer  100   a  is configured so as to function as a data base for storing specific operational expressions derived from mathematical models expressing organ functions, and as an operation means for calculating output values based on the values input to the biological model. The parameters suited to the patient can be determined using, for example, genetic algorithms methods, so as to obtain actual diagnostic values within a specific error range, and values obtained from simulation results. 
     Details of each block in the above example are described below. FBG and Ws respectively represent fasting blood glucose (FBG=BG(0)) and hypothetical weight; DVg and DVi respectively represent distribution capacity in glucose and distribution capacity volume in insulin. 
     The relationship of the inputs and outputs of the pancreas block  1  can be described using the differential equation (1) below. An equivalence of the differential equation (1) can be realized using the block diagram of  FIG. 6 . Differential equation (1)
 
 dY/dt−α{Y ( t )−β( BG ( t )− h )} (and,  BG ( t )&gt; h )=−α Y ( t ) (and,  BG ( t )&lt;= h )
 
 dX/dt=−M·X ( t )+ Y ( t )
 
 SR ( t )= M·X ( t )
 
Variables:
 
BG (t): Blood sugar level,
 
X (t): total insulin secretable from pancreas,
 
Y (t): Delivery speed of new insulin from glucose stimulation,
 
SR (t): Pancreatic insulin secretion rate parameters:
 
h: Glucose concentration threshold of stimulating insulin supply,
 
α: Tracking relative to glucose stimulation,
 
β: Sensitivity to glucose stimulation,
 
M: Secretion rate per unit concentration
 
     The blood sugar level  6  input in the pancreas block  1  in  FIG. 5  corresponds to the BG(t), and the output insulin secretion rate  7  corresponds to the SR(t). 
     In the block diagram of  FIG. 6 , reference number  6  refers to the blood sugar level BG(t),  7  refers to the pancreatic insulin secretion rate SR(t),  12  refers to glucose concentration threshold h of stimulating insulin supply,  13  refers to sensitivity β to glucose stimulation,  14  refers to tracking a relative to glucose concentration,  15  refers to integral factor,  16  refers to delivery speed Y(t) of new insulin from glucose stimulation,  17  refers to integral factor,  18  refers to total insulin X(t) secretable from pancreas, and  19  refers to the secretion rate M per unit concentration. 
     The relationship of the inputs and outputs of the liver block  2  can be described using the differential equation (2) below. An equivalence of the differential equation (2) can be realized using the block diagram of  FIG. 7 . Differential equation (2) 
                   ⅆ       I   4     ⁡     (   t   )         /     ⅆ   t       =     α2   ⁢     {         -     A   3       ⁢       I   4     ⁡     (   t   )         +       (     1   -     A   7       )     ·     SR   ⁡     (   t   )           }         ⁢                         Goff   ⁡     (   FBG   )       =       f   ⁢           ⁢   1   ⁢     (       and   ⁢           ⁢   FBG     &lt;     f   ⁢           ⁢   3       )       =       f   ⁢           ⁢   1     +     f   ⁢           ⁢     2   ·     (     FBG   -     f   ⁢           ⁢   3       )       ⁢     (       and   ⁢           ⁢   FBG     &gt;=     f   ⁢           ⁢   3       )                           Func   ⁢           ⁢   1   ⁢     (   FBG   )       =       f   ⁢           ⁢   4     -     f   ⁢           ⁢     5   ·     (     FBG   -     f   ⁢           ⁢   6       )             ⁢                           Func   ⁢           ⁢   2   ⁢     (   FBG   )       =     f   ⁢           ⁢     7   /   FBG         ⁢                           b   ⁢           ⁢   1   ⁢     (       I   4     ⁡     (   t   )       )       =     f   ⁢           ⁢   8   ⁢     {     1   +     f   ⁢           ⁢     9   ·       I   4     ⁡     (   t   )             }         ⁢                         HGU   ⁡     (   t   )       =         r   ·   Func     ⁢           ⁢   1   ⁢       (   FBG   )     ·   b     ⁢           ⁢   1   ⁢       (       I   4     ⁡     (   t   )       )     ·     RG   ⁡     (   t   )           +         (     1   -   r     )     ·   Kh   ·     BG   ⁡     (   t   )       ·       I   4     ⁡     (   t   )         ⁢     (       and   ⁢             ⁢             ⁢     HGU   ⁡     (   t   )         &gt;=   0     )                       HGP   ⁡     (   t   )       =           I     4   ⁢   off       ·   Func     ⁢           ⁢   2   ⁢       (   FBG   )     ·   b     ⁢           ⁢   2     +       G   off     ⁡     (   FBG   )       -           I   4     ⁡     (   t   )       ·       Func   ⁢   2     (   FBG   )     ·     b   ⁢   2       ⁢           ⁢     (         and   ⁢           ⁢     HGP   ⁡     (   t   )         &gt;=     0   ⁢     
     ⁢     SGO   ⁡     (   t   )           =         RG   ⁡     (   t   )       +     HGP   ⁡     (   t   )       -       HGU   ⁡     (   t   )       ⁢           ⁢     
     ⁢     SRpost   ⁡     (   t   )           =       A   7     ⁢     SR   ⁡     (   t   )             ⁢                       
Variables
 
BG (t): Blood sugar level,
 
SR (t): pancreatic insulin secretion rate,
 
SRpost (t): liver processed insulin,
 
RG (t): Digestive tract glucose absorption,
 
HGP (t): Hepatic glucose release,
 
HGU (t): Hepatic glucose uptake,
 
SGO (t): Net glucose from liver,
 
I 4  (t): Hepatic insulin concentration, parameters:
 
Kh: Hepatic glucose uptake rate per unit insulin and per unit glucose,
 
A 7 : Hepatic insulin uptake rate,
 
Goff: Glucose release rate relative to basic metabolism,
 
b 2 : Adjustment of hepatic glucose release suppression rate,
 
r: Insulin independent hepatic glucose uptake distribution rate,
 
a 2 : hepatic insulin propagation rate,
 
I 40off : Insulin concentration threshold for suppressing hepatic glucose release,
 
Functions:
 
Goff (FBG): Glucose release rate relative to basic metabolism,
 
     Func  1  (FBG): Hepatic glucose uptake rate from digestive tract glucose stimulation, 
     Func  2  (FBG): Hepatic glucose release suppression rate relative to insulin stimulation, 
     f 1 -f 9 : Constants used to realize three items above, 
     b 1  (I 4  (t)): Adjustment item for hepatic glucose uptake rate, 
     Inputs to the liver block shown in  FIG. 5  are digestive tract glucose absorption  5  corresponding to RG(t), blood sugar level  6  corresponding to BG(t), and pancreatic insulin secretion rate  7  corresponding to SR(t); and the outputs are net glucose from liver  8  corresponding to SGO(t), and liver processed insulin  9  corresponding to SRpost (t). 
     In the block diagram of  FIG. 7 , reference number  5  refers to the digestive tract glucose absorption RG(t),  6  refers to blood sugar level BG(t),  7  refers to pancreatic insulin secretion rate SR(t),  8  refers to net glucose from liver SGO(t),  9  refers to liver processed insulin SRpost (t),  24  refers to hepatic insulin passage rate ( 1 -A 7 ),  25  refers to hepatic insulin propagation rate α 2 ,  26  refers to liver processed insulin distribution rate A 3 ,  27  refers to integral factor,  28  refers to hepatic insulin concentration I 4  (t),  29  refers to insulin dependent hepatic glucose uptake distribution rate ( 1 - r ), 30 refers to hepatic glucose uptake rate Kh per unit insulin and per unit glucose,  31  refers to insulin independent hepatic glucose uptake distribution rate r,  32  refers to hepatic glucose uptake rate Func 1  (FBG) from digestive tract glucose stimulation,  33  refers to adjustment itemb 1  (I 4 (t)) for hepatic glucose uptake rate,  34  refers to hepatic glucose uptake HGU (t),  35  refers to insulin concentration threshold I 40off  for suppressing hepatic glucose release,  36  refers to hepatic glucose release suppression rate Func 2  (FBG) relative to insulin stimulation,  37  refers to adjustment b 2  of hepatic glucose release suppression rate,  38  refers to glucose release rate Goff relative to basic metabolism,  39  refers to hepatic glucose release HGP (t), and  40  refers to hepatic insulin uptake rate A 7 . 
     The relationship between the inputs and outputs of insulin kinetic secretion, can be described using differential equation (3) below. An equivalence of the differential equation (3) can be realized using the block diagram of  FIG. 8 . Differential equation (3)
 
 dI ( t )/ dt=−A   3   I   1 ( t )+ A   5   I   2 ( t )+ A   4   I   3 ( t )+ SR post( t )
 
 dI   2 ( t )/ dt=A   6   I   1 ( t )− A   5   I   2 ( t )
 
 dI   3 ( t )/ dt=A   2   I   1 ( t )− A   1   I   3 ( t )
 
Variables
 
SRpost (t): Liver processed insulin
 
I 1  (t): Blood insulin concentration
 
I 2  (t): Insulin concentration in insulin independent tissue
 
I 3  (t): Insulin concentration in peripheral tissue Parameters:
 
A 1 : Insulin loss rate in peripheral tissue
 
A 2 : Insulin distribution rate to peripheral tissue
 
A 3 : Liver processed insulin distribution rate
 
A 4 : Peripheral tissue processed insulin outflow rate
 
A 5 : Insulin loss rate in insulin independent tissue
 
A 6 : Insulin distribution rate to insulin independent tissue
 
     The liver processed insulin  9  input in the insulin kinetics block corresponds to SRpost (t), and the output peripheral tissue insulin concentration  10  corresponds to I 3  (t). 
     In the block diagram of  FIG. 8 , reference number  9  refers to liver processed insulin SRpost (t),  10  refers to insulin concentration I 3  (t) inperipheral tissue,  50  refers to integral factor,  51  refers to liver processed insulin distribution rate A 3 ,  52  refers to blood insulin concentration I 1  (t),  53  refers to insulin distribution rate A 2  to peripheral tissue,  54  refers to integral factor,  55  refers to insulin loss rate A 1  in peripheral tissue,  56  refers to peripheral tissue processed insulin outflow rate A 4 ,  57  refers to insulin distribution rate A 6  to insulin independent tissue,  58  refers to integral factor,  59  refers to insulin concentration I 2  (t) in insulin independent tissue,  60  refers to insulin loss rate A 5  in insulin independent tissue. 
     The relationship of the inputs and outputs of the peripheral tissue block  4  can be described using the differential equation (4) below. An equivalence of the differential equation (4) can be realized using the block diagram of  FIG. 9 . Differential equation (4)
 
 dBG′/d t=SGO ( t )− u*G off( FBG )− Kb·BG ′( t )− Kp·I   3 ( t )· BG ′( t )
 
Variables
 
BG′ (t): Blood sugar level (and BG[mg/dl], BG′ [mg/kg])
 
SGO (t): Net glucose from liver,
 
I 3  (t): Peripheral tissue insulin concentration Parameters:
 
Kb: Insulin independent glucose consumption rate inperipheral tissue,
 
Kp: Insulin dependent glucose consumption rate in peripheral tissue per unit glucose and per unit insulin,
 
u: Percentage insulin independent glucose consumptionperbasic metabolism in glucose release rate relative to basic metabolism, Functions:
 
Goff (FBG): Glucose release rate relative to basic metabolism f 1 -f 3 : Constants used to realize Goff
 
     The peripheral tissue insulin concentration  10  input to the peripheral tissue block  4  in  FIG. 5  corresponds to I 3  (t), and the input net glucose  8  from the liver corresponds to SGO (t), and the output blood sugar level  6  corresponds to BG (t). 
     In the block diagram  9 , reference number  6  refers to blood sugar level BG (t),  8  refers to the net glucose from the liver SGO (t),  10  refers to peripheral tissue insulin concentration I 3  (t),  70  refers to insulin independent glucose consumption rate relative to basic metabolism u*Goff (FBG),  71  refers to integral factor,  72  refers to insulin independent glucose consumption rate in peripheral tissue Kb,  73  refers to insulin dependent glucose consumption rate Kp in peripheral tissue per unit insulin and per unit glucose and per unit insulin,  74  refers to unit conversion constant Ws/Dvg. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , since the inputs and outputs of this block are mutually connected, the time series change of the blood sugar level and insulin concentration can be calculated based on mathematical expressions by using the glucose absorption  5  from the digestive tract, and a simulation can be created. The successively calculated blood sugar levels and insulin concentrations can be displayed on the display  120 . Thus, the result of the modeled organs can be easily verified by the user. 
     The calculations of the differential equations can be accomplished, for example, using E-Cell (Keio University published software), or MATLAB (Mathworks, Inc.), although other calculation systems may also be used. 
     Obtaining Parameter Values 
     Parameter values can be obtained (generated) by, for example, the parameter set estimating process described below. 
       FIG. 23  shows a parameter set estimating process using a genetic algorithm (hereinafter referred to simply as “GA”) As shown in  FIG. 23 , the generation of parameter values by GA is accomplished by performing a process for generating a parameter set initial group (step S 1 - 6 - 1 ), suitability evaluation process (step S 1 - 6 - 2 ), selection/intersection/mutationprocess (step S 1 - 6 - 4 ), and end determination process (steps S 1 - 6 - 3 , S 1 - 6 - 5 ). 
     The algorithm of  FIG. 23  is described below. 
     [Initial Group Creation: Step S 1 - 6 - 1 ] 
     The present system has biological model parameters with information in a search range, as shown in Table 1 below. The search range of table 1 is a range of values obtained from humans, and the search range of Table 1 is referred to as a “basic search range” below. 
     The present system has a function for auto-generating a parameter set PS in real time by generated random numbers in a range between minimum and maximum values in Table 1 for each parameter. The parameter set PS thus obtained is referred to as an “individual” set. 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Fixed Parameter Search Range 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Parameter 
                 Min Value 
                 Max Value 
                 Units 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Pancreas 
                 h 
                 21.06 
                 526.5 
                 [mg/dl] 
               
               
                   
                 α 
                 0.00304 
                 0.684 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 β 
                 0.0751168 
                 338.0256 
                 [(μU/ml) · 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (dl/mg) · 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (1/min)] 
               
               
                   
                 M 
                 0.02 
                 1 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 X(0) 
                 67.28 
                 15138 
                 [μU/ml] 
               
               
                   
                 Y(0) 
                 0.88 
                 198 
                 [(μU/ml) · 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (1/min)] 
               
               
                 Insulin 
                 A 1   
                 0.005 
                 0.075 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                 Kinetics 
                 A 2   
                 0.0084 
                 0.126 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 A 3   
                 0.087 
                 1.305 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 A 4   
                 0.004 
                 0.06 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 A 5   
                 0.0788 
                 1.182 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 A 6   
                 0.0284 
                 0.426 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                 Peripheral 
                 Kb 
                 0.0018 
                 0.027 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                 tissue 
                 Kp 
                 6.66667E−07 
                 0.001 
                 [(ml/μU) · 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (1/min)] 
               
               
                   
                 u 
                 0.12 
                 1.8 
               
               
                 Liver 
                 A 7   
                 0.094 
                 1.41 
               
               
                   
                 Kh 
                 0.00000924 
                 0.0001386 
                 [(ml/μU) · 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (1/min) · 
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 (dl/kg)] 
               
               
                   
                 b1 
                 0.18 
                 2.7 
               
               
                   
                 b2 
                 0.22 
                 3.3 
               
               
                   
                 r 
                 0.196 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 α2 
                 0.00304 
                 0.684 
               
               
                   
                 I 4off   
                 1 
                 15 
                 [μU/ml] 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     An initial group of several (for example, ten) parameter sets PS can be generated by repeating a process by CPU  110   a  for generating random numbers for each parameter within the search range of Table 1. 
     [Suitability Evaluation: Step S 1 - 6 - 2 ] 
     The present system (CPU  110   a ) performs suitability evaluation of the generated individual sets, and selects and extracts part of the individual set PS from among the individual sets PS in the groups. 
     The suitability evaluation uses the time series data of actually measured OGTT as a reference. The actual measurement data (biological response) used for a reference are data which are reproducible as output of the biological model by the present system, and the individual sets have high suitability to the actual measurement values if the response obtained is similar to the reference in the biological model to which the generated parameter set is applied. 
     The suitability evaluation of the generated parameters is accomplished by determining the degree of similarity (suitability) between the generated model output (blood sugar data and insulin concentration data) to which the generated parameters are applied, and the reference (OGTT glucose data and OGTT insulin data). 
     [Selection: Step S 1 - 6 - 4 - 1 ] 
     Then, the present system (CPU  110   a ) selects part (for example 4 individual sets) from among the (initial) group, as a [parent] based on, for example, the highest degree of suitability, a predetermined selection standard. The selection standard is not limited to [high suitability sets] since later generation [offspring] can be expected to have high suitability, such that the standard may include part of a low suitability [parent]. 
     [Intersection: Step S 1 - 6 - 4 - 2 ] 
     The present system (CPU  110   a ) generates, in the sequence below, two new [offspring] from the individual set group selected as the [parent] by the [selection] 
     First, (1) two optional individual sets are selected from the selected individual set group. Next, (2) the number of intersections of the analogous individual sets (number of parameters as intersection object) is determined. Intersection probability is multiplied by R (range of 0 to 1), and the number of intersection is determined by the following equation.
 
Number of intersections=[ XR ×number of parameters belonging to 1 individual set]
 
     The brackets [ ] is a Gaussian symbol. (Example) [3.14]=3 
     Then, (3) The intersection points are determined. The intersection points are determined by randomly generating integer value, between 1 and the number of the parameter([22] in the case of Table 1), the number of “intersection” times. 
     Finally, (4) new individual sets are generated. Specifically, two new individual sets are generated by converting the parameters of the intersecting points determined in (3) from the two individual sets selected in (1). 
     A new individual [offspring] is generated from several (six in this example) diminishedby the [selection] by repeating the processes (1) through (4). 
     [Mutation: Step S 1 - 6 - 4 - 3 ] 
     Finally, the present system (CPU  110   a ) changes each parameter of each individual set in the sequence below via a mutation probability (range 0 to 1) relative to all individual sets of the new group. 
     For example, the mutation process generates a random number R in the range 0 to 1 from the parameters of a particular individual set, and generates random numbers within the search field shown in Table 2 when R&lt;MR, and replaces the original parameter value. An identical process is performed for all parameters of all individual sets. 
     [End Condition Determining Process: Steps S 1 - 6 - 3 , S 1 - 6 - 5 ] 
     Although the processes of steps S 1 - 6 - 2  to A 1 - 6 - 4  are repeated, as shown in  FIG. 23 , the CPU  110   a  ends the GA process and individual set (parameter set) of optimum suitability among the groups as the estimation result when the result of the suitability evaluation process in step S 1 - 6 - 2  is the most suitable individual set above a predetermined standard among the current group. 
     Furthermore, when the number of repetitions of the processes from step S 1 - 6 - 2  to S 1 - 6 - 4  exceeds a certain number, the CPU  110   a  ends the GA process, and the individual set (parameter set) with the optimum suitability in the group is set as the estimation result (step S 1 - 6 - 5 ). The number of repetitions for the end condition is set at, for example,  300 . 
     Although the parameters can be determined by the biological model parameter set estimating process above, the organs of the patient can be appropriately simulated since the biological model can generate output approaching the input OGTT time series data. 
     Simulation Examples 
     An example of the simulation of a time series change of blood sugar level, blood insulin concentration, hepatic glucose uptake, and hepatic glucose release using the present system follows. In this example, the values of Table 2 are used as examples of the block parameters. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Parameter 
                 Value 
                 Units 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Pancreas 
                 h 
                 92.43 
                 [mg/dl] 
               
               
                   
                 α 
                 0.228 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 β 
                 0.357 
                 [(μU/ml) · (dl/mg) · (1/min)] 
               
               
                   
                 M 
                 1 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                 Insulin 
                 A 1   
                 0.025 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                 Kinetics 
                 A 2   
                 0.042 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 A 3   
                 0.435 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 A 4   
                 0.02 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 A 5   
                 0.394 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                   
                 A 6   
                 0.142 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                 Peripheral 
                 Kb 
                 0.009 
                 [1/min] 
               
               
                 tissue 
                 Kp 
                 5.28E−05 
                 [(ml/μU) · (1/min)] 
               
               
                   
                 u 
                 0.6 
               
               
                 Liver 
                 A 7   
                 0.47 
               
               
                   
                 Kh 
                 0.0000462 
                 [(ml/μU) · (1/min) · (dl/kg)] 
               
               
                   
                 b2 
                 1.1 
               
               
                   
                 r 
                 0.98 
               
               
                   
                 α2 
                 0.228 
               
               
                   
                 I 4off   
                 5 
                 [μU/ml] 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The values of Table 3 are used as the initial values of variable in the calculation of the differential equation. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 3 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Initial 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Value 
                 Value 
                 Units 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Pancreas 
                 X(0) 
                 336.4 
                 [μU/ml] 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Y(0) 
                 4.4 
                 [(μU/ml) · (1/min)] 
               
               
                   
                 Insulin 
                 I 1 (0) 
                 8 
                 (μU/ml] 
               
               
                   
                 Kinetics 
                 I 2 (0) 
                 I 1 (0) * (A 2 /A 1 ) 
                 [μU/ml] 
               
               
                   
                   
                 I 3 (0) 
                 I 1 (0) * (A 6 /A 5 ) 
                 [μU/ml] 
               
               
                   
                   
                 I 4 (0) 
                 4 
                 [μU/ml] 
               
               
                   
                 Liver 
                 FBG 
                 115 
                 [mg/dl] 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Furthermore, the values of Table 4 are used as examples of standard values in the standardization of the present example. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 4 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Constant 
                 Value 
                 Units 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Function 
                 f1 
                 1.8 
                 [(mg/kg) · (1/min)] 
               
               
                   
                 f2 
                 0.02 
                 [(dl/kg) · (1/min)] 
               
               
                   
                 f3 
                 140 
                 [mg/dl] 
               
               
                   
                 f4 
                 0.525 
               
               
                   
                 f5 
                 0.005 
                 [dl/mg] 
               
               
                   
                 f6 
                 80 
                 [mg/dl] 
               
               
                   
                 f7 
                 13.2 
                 [(ml/μU) · (mg/dl) · (mg/kg) · (1/min)] 
               
               
                   
                 f8 
                 0.9 
               
               
                   
                 f9 
                 0.0001 
                 [ml/μU] 
               
               
                 Standard 
                 Ws 
                 70 
                 [kg] 
               
               
                   
                 DVg 
                 154 
                 [dl] 
               
               
                   
                 DVi 
                 3.52 
                 [l] 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The digestive tract glucose absorption speed uses the values shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     The simulation results under the above conditions are blood sugar  6  time series change shown in  FIG. 11 , blood insulin concentration  49  time series change shown in  FIG. 12 , hepatic glucose uptake time series change shown in  FIG. 13 , and hepatic glucose release time series change shown in  FIG. 14 . Furthermore, the reference blood sugar levels are shown in  FIG. 15 , and the reference blood insulin concentrations are shown ion  FIG. 16 . 
     Thus, using the present system the change over time of the blood sugar level due to glucose absorption, blood insulin concentration, hepatic glucose uptake, and hepatic glucose release can be reproduced in a form closely approaching a biological change. Furthermore, the medical significance can be readily appreciated since the model used in the present system includes, as structural elements, function blocks respectively corresponding to the pancreas, liver, insulin kinetics, and peripheral tissue that control the blood sugar level. 
     2. Database for Treatment Effect Prediction 
     Expected treatment effects are stored in the database DB for treatment effect prediction using the pathological condition information and treatment method as keys. 
     Pathological condition information is represented by a one or a plurality of numerical values indicating the condition of the patient, for example, insulin secretory defect score, peripheral insulin resistance score, hepatic glucose uptake score and hepatic glucose release score can be calculated by, for example, the pathological condition information obtaining means  300 , and used as the pathological condition information (narrow definition of pathological condition information). Furthermore, in addition to these scores, age, sex, weight and other codable patient attributes may also be used a pathological condition information (broad definition of pathological condition information). 
     As previously described, the treatment methods are coded combinations of treatment methods obtained from patients, in the case of diabetes, for example, characteristics codes may be allocated to dietary treatments, exercise treatments, sulfonyl urea, fast-acting insulin secretory accelerator, insulin resistance enhancer, glucose absorption inhibitor, manufactured insulin, and the like individually and in a plurality of combinations. 
     Treatment effects are the amount of improvement of a pathological condition expected by a treatment and are represented by numeric values; in the case of diabetes, for example, the amount of decrease in the blood sugar level expected, combined with the probability of that decrease can be used in a list. 
     Tables 5 through 7 show examples of treatment effects, codes of treatment methods, and pathological conditions. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Impaired 
                 Excessive 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Peripheral 
                 hepatic 
                 hepatic 
                 Insulin 
               
               
                 insulin 
                 glucose 
                 glucose 
                 secretory 
               
               
                 resistance 
                 uptake 
                 release 
                 defect 
                 Age 
                 Sex 
                 Weight 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 40 
                 40 
                 40 
                 65 
                 1 
                 75 
               
               
                 10 
                 40 
                 40 
                 40 
                 65 
                 2 
                 60 
               
               
                 40 
                 60 
                 60 
                 80 
                 65 
                 1 
                 75 
               
               
                 40 
                 60 
                 60 
                 80 
                 65 
                 2 
                 60 
               
               
                 60 
                 20 
                 20 
                 60 
                 70 
                 1 
                 75 
               
               
                 60 
                 20 
                 20 
                 60 
                 70 
                 2 
                 60 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Insulin 
                 Insulin 
                 Glucose 
                 Glucose 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 secretion 
                 resistance 
                 release 
                 absorption 
                   
                 Method 
               
               
                 Diet 
                 Exercise 
                 accelerator 
                 enhancer 
                 inhibitor 
                 inhibitor 
                 Insulin 
                 No. 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 No 
                 No 
                 No 
                 No 
                 No 
                 No 
                 No 
                 0 
               
               
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 No 
                 No 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 1 
               
               
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 No 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 2 
               
               
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 3 
               
               
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 4 
               
               
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 5 
               
               
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 No 
                 6 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Amt drop in Blood sugar level 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Un- 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 120 
               
               
                   
                 der 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 and 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 20–39 
                 40–59 
                 60–79 
                 80–99 
                 100–119 
                 above 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Proba- 
                 0.25 
                 0.30 
                 0.20 
                 0.10 
                 0.05 
                 0.05 
                 0.05 
               
               
                 bility 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Pathological condition information is stored in a relational database. Tables 8 and 9 shows examples; Table 8 has fields of insulin secretory defect, peripheral insulin resistance, impaired hepatic glucose uptake, excessive hepatic glucose release, age, sex, weight, treatment method, and treatment effect Number. Table 9 has fields of treatment effect number, amount of blood sugar decrease, and probability. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Impaired 
                 Excessive 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                 Peripheral 
                 hepatic 
                 hepatic 
                 Insulin 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 Treatment 
               
               
                 insulin 
                 glucose 
                 glucose 
                 secretory 
                   
                   
                   
                 Treatment 
                 effect 
               
               
                 resistance 
                 uptake 
                 release 
                 defect 
                 Age 
                 Sex 
                 Weight 
                 method 
                 No. 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 10 
                 40 
                 40 
                 40 
                 65 
                 1 
                 75 
                 3 
                 1 
               
               
                 10 
                 40 
                 40 
                 40 
                 65 
                 2 
                 60 
                 3 
                 2 
               
               
                 40 
                 60 
                 60 
                 80 
                 65 
                 1 
                 75 
                 2 
                 3 
               
               
                 40 
                 60 
                 60 
                 80 
                 65 
                 2 
                 60 
                 2 
                 4 
               
               
                 60 
                 20 
                 20 
                 60 
                 70 
                 1 
                 75 
                 2 
                 5 
               
               
                 60 
                 20 
                 20 
                 60 
                 70 
                 2 
                 60 
                 2 
                 6 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Treatment effect 
                 Amt blood sugar 
                   
               
               
                 No. 
                 decrease 
                 Probability 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                  0–19 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 1 
                 20–39 
                 0.30 
               
               
                 1 
                 40–59 
                 0.20 
               
               
                 1 
                 60–79 
                 0.10 
               
               
                 1 
                 80–99 
                 0.05 
               
               
                 1 
                 100–119 
                 0.05 
               
               
                 1 
                 120 and over 
                 0.05 
               
               
                 2 
                  0–19 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 2 
                 20–39 
                 0.25 
               
               
                 2 
                 40–59 
                 0.50 
               
               
                 2 
                 60–79 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 2 
                 80–99 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 2 
                 100–119 
                 0.0 
               
               
                 2 
                 120 and over 
                 0.0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     The data stored in Table 9, can be created, for example, described below. 
     (1) Step 1: Building Treatment Result Database 
     The pre-treatment pathological conditions of a plurality of patients is stored in a treatment result database as pathological condition information. The treatment methods used from the start of treatment are codified and stored in the same database. The treatment effects are stored after treatment. 
     An example of a relational database storing treatment results is shown in table 10. Table 10 has the fields of patient ID, insulin secretory defect, peripheral insulin resistance, impaired hepatic glucose uptake, excessive hepatic glucose release, age, sex, weight, treatment method, and treatment effect. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Impaired 
                 Excessive 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Peripheral 
                 hepatic 
                 Hepatic 
                 Insulin 
               
               
                 Patient 
                 insulin 
                 glucose 
                 glucose 
                 secretory 
                   
                   
                   
                 Treatment 
                 Treatment 
               
               
                 ID 
                 resistance 
                 uptake 
                 release 
                 defect 
                 Age 
                 Sex 
                 Weight 
                 method 
                 effect 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1 
                 20 
                 40 
                 40 
                 60 
                 65 
                 1 
                 75 
                 3 
                 10 
               
               
                 2 
                 25 
                 45 
                 45 
                 60 
                 65 
                 1 
                 74 
                 3 
                 40 
               
               
                 3 
                 20 
                 55 
                 55 
                 90 
                 65 
                 1 
                 76 
                 2 
                 10 
               
               
                 4 
                 20 
                 40 
                 40 
                 90 
                 65 
                 1 
                 80 
                 2 
                 60 
               
               
                 5 
                 25 
                 45 
                 45 
                 55 
                 70 
                 1 
                 79 
                 3 
                 40 
               
               
                 6 
                 15 
                 35 
                 35 
                 65 
                 70 
                 1 
                 82 
                 3 
                 35 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (2) Step 2: Calculate Treatment Effect From Treatment Result Database 
     The records of Table 10 are classified as pathological condition information, and a probability distribution of the treatment effects is prepared. 
     For example, from Table 10, the peripheral insulin resistance scores are 10 to 30, impaired hepatic glucose uptake score are 30 to 50, excessive hepatic glucose release scores are 30 to 50, insulin secretory defect scores are 50 to 70, age scores are 60 to 70, sex score is 1, weight scores are 70 to 90, and structured query language (SQL), terminology is used to obtain codes of three treatment methods. SELECT treatment result FROM Table 10 WHERE peripheral insulin resistance BETWEEN 10 AND 30 AND impaired hepatic glucose uptake BETWEEN 30 and 50 AND excessive hepatic glucose release BETWEEN 30 and 50, AND insulin secretory defect BETWEEN 50 and 70, AND age BETWEEN 60 AND 70 AND sex=1 AND weight BETWEEN 70 AND 90 AND treatment methods=3. In this example, the records of the treatment effect field are output for patient IDs 1, 2, 5, and 6. 
     Output treatment effect: 10, 40, 40, 50 
     A treatment effect probability distribution is prepared from this output. At this time, the width of the gradient values is optionally determined. For example, if there is a decrease in blood sugar level, the width of each gradient can be set at 20 mg/dl. 
     In this case, the probability distribution according to the example of treatment effect is 0.25 for a blood sugar reduction of under 20, 0.25 for reduction of 20 to 39, and 0.5 for reduction of 40 to 59. 
     Median values of each field used when extracting codes, for example, are used as representative values of pathological condition information corresponding to treatment effect. That is, in the example, the peripheral insulin resistance score 20, impaired hepatic glucose uptake score 40, excessive hepatic glucose release score 40, insulin secretory defect score 60, age 60, sex 1, weight 75, and treatment method 3 can be set as representative values of pathological condition information. 
     Table 11 through 12 show examples of representative values of treatment effects and corresponding pathological condition information. 
     
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                 TABLE 11 
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Blood sugar level decrease 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Under 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
                 120 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 20–39 
                 40–59 
                 60–79 
                 80–99 
                 100–119 
                 and over 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Probability 
                 0.25 
                 0.25 
                 0.5 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
                 0 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 12 
               
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 Impaired 
                 Excessive 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 hepatic 
                 Hepatic 
                 Insulin 
               
               
                 Peripheral 
                 glucose 
                 glucose 
                 secretory 
                   
                   
                   
                 Treatment 
               
               
                 insulin resistance 
                 uptake 
                 release 
                 defect 
                 Age 
                 Sex 
                 Weight 
                 method 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 20 
                 40 
                 40 
                 60 
                 65 
                 1 
                 75 
                 3 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     (3) Storing Treatment Effects in the Database 
     The treatment effect obtained in step 2 is stored in Tables 8 and 9. The treatment effect is designated EE, and the representative value of the pathological condition information is designated P. 
     First, a non-repeated uniform number Ni is obtained. Then, a record R configured by the representative number P and Ni of the pathological condition profile in Table 8 is added. Finally, each gradient value of Ni and treatment effect EE and their probabilities are added to Table 9. 
     3. Database Search 
     The database is then queried, for example, in the manner described below for pathological condition information of a specific patient obtained by the pathological condition information obtaining means. That is, as shown in  FIG. 21 , records satisfying a standard of similarity (degree of similarity), that is, most similar, are output for pathological condition information of a specific patient. 
     More specifically, pathological condition information (query Q) of a specific patient obtained by the pathological condition information obtaining means is input (step S 11 ). Then, all records Ri are sequentially read from the database DB (step S 12 ), and the distance d of the query Q and record Ri is calculated by the CPU  110   a  (step S 13 ). 
     The calculation of the distance d can be accomplished, for example, as described below. The initial value of a minimum distance value dmin [M] corresponding to a certain treatment method is set at infinity (∞). 
     First, di=infinity when the the [sex] fields of Q and Ri do not match. 
     When the [sex] fields match, the distance of Q and Ri is calculated in the following step. The values of fields peripheral insulin resistance, impaired hepatic glucose up take, excessive hepatic glucose release, insulin secretory defect, age, and weight of Q are represented by vertical vector Vq.
 
V q=(I R q, G U q, G R q, I S q, A q, BM q) t  (and t is the transposition matrix)
 
Where the following obtain.
 
IRq: Peripheral insulin resistance score
 
GUq: Impaired hepatic glucose uptake score
 
GRq: Excessive hepatic glucose release score
 
ISq: Insulin secretory defect score
 
Aq: Age
 
BMq: Weight
 
     Similarly, the records Ri obtained from the database represent the vertical vector Vi.
 
 Vi =( IRi,GUi,GRi,ISi,Ai,BMi ) t (and  t  is the transposition matrix)
 
     The distance d is calculated as the Mahalanobis distance of the vector Vq and vector Vi. The Mahalanobis distance can be considered an indicator having greater similarity compared to Euclidean distance considering the variance of each factor when correlating the factors of the vectors. In order to calculate the Mahalanobis distance, a variance/covariance matrix Σ is calculated for all fields of peripheral insulin resistance, impaired hepatic glucose uptake, excessive hepatic glucose release, insulin secretory defect, age, and weight stored in the database ahead of time. 
     di is determined using Σ.
 
 di =√{square root over (( Vi−Vq ) t Σ −1 ( Vi−Vq ))}{square root over (( Vi−Vq ) t Σ −1 ( Vi−Vq ))}  Equation 1
 
(and Σ −1  is the Σ inverse matrix.)
 
     The CPU  110   a  compares the obtained distance d and the minimum value dmin of the distance corresponding to the treatment method M, and proceeds to calculate d as dmin [M] (step S 15 ), and Ri as Rmin [M] (step S 16 ) if the distance d is less than dmin [M]. 
     When dmin[M] obtained for each treatment method is less than a set standard value for each treatment method, the corresponding Rmin [M] is output, and when all dmin [M] are greater than the standard value, there is no corresponding output. 
     When the Rmin most similar to the relevant pathological condition information is obtained, the treatment effect can be output, for example, in the following manner. 
     Among the Rmin, the value of the field [treatment effect number] is designated E. This E is used as a query, and all matching records in Table 9 are output. The following SQL language is used in the case of a standard relational database. “SELECT * FROM Table 9 WHERE treatment effect number=E”. 
     The treatment effects and probabilities can be displayed by arranging the obtained codes in ascending order by the value of the [amount of blood sugar decrease] field. 
       FIG. 22  shows an example of such a display; in this example, the treatment effect predictions are displayed in bar graphs when the Su agent and AGI agent administration is the treatment method, and TZD agent is administered together with an exercise treatment. In each graph, the horizontal axis shows the amount of blood sugar level decrease after meals, and the vertical axis shows the probability of achieving the decrease. The blood sugar level is allocated in increments of 20 mg/dl. The patient pathological condition information is displayed at the upper left of the screen, and representative values (median values of each field used when records are extracted) of the pathological condition information corresponding to the treatment effect are displayed in the lower region. This screen predicts the maximum treatment effect will be obtained by the treatment method combining the administration of TZD agent and an exercise treatment. 
     Although the time course treatment effect for a predetermined period (for example, six months) after treatment is started is shown in the example shown in  FIG. 22 , the treatment effect over time can be displayed for treatment effects after one month, three months, six months, and one year if fields for these time periods are provided when creating the database. In this case, the mean values of the treatment effects are calculated for each treatment period (one month, three months and the like), and when the treatment period is plotted on the horizontal axis and the treatment effect is plotted on the vertical axis of the graph, the temporal change of the pathological condition information predicted when using a specific treatment method can be visually comprehended. Furthermore, if the temporal change of the pathological condition information is stored in the database instead of the treatment effect or together with the treatment effect, the temporal change of the pathological condition information predicted using a specific treatment method can be visually comprehended.