Abstract. In this paper, we propose a rule-based formalization of eligibility criteria for clinical trials. The rule-based formalization is implemented by using the logic programming language Prolog. Compared with existing formalizations such as pattern-based and scriptbased languages, the rule-based formalization has the advantages of being declarative, expressive, reusable and easy to maintain. Our rule-based formalisation is based on a general framework for eligibility criteria containting three types of knowledge: (1) trial-specific knowledge, (2) domain-specific knowledge and (3) common knowledge. This framework enables the reuse of several parts of the formalisation of eligibility criteria. We have implemented the proposed rule-based formalization in SemanticCT, a semantically-enabled system for clinical trials, showing the feasibility of using our rule-based formalization of eligibility criteria for supporting patient recruitment in clinical trial systems.
SemanticCT REF allows the formalization of eligibility criteria using Prolog rules.
Rule-based formalization of eligibility criteria for clinical trials
In Proceedings of the 14th Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Medicine(AIME
Computer Science