利用机器学习模型预测男性不育患者Y染色体微缺失:一项回顾性临床研究
Predicting Y chromosome microdeletions in male infertility patients using machine learning models: a retrospective clinical study
摘要
该研究回顾性纳入4096例男性不育患者(2013–2023年),按80%/20%划分训练集与测试集;另用同期后来时段的333例进行时间外部验证。研究者先通过单因素分析、LASSO回归、逐步回归和最优子集等多阶段策略筛选变量,最终确定精子浓度(AUC=0.703)与FSH(AUC=0.618)为主要预测因子。在六个候选模型中,联合FSH与精子浓度的双变量XGBoost模型表现最佳:十折交叉验证平均AUC 0.766±0.037,敏感度0.766,特异度0.653;在后来时段队列中AUC 0.762,敏感度0.833,特异度0.702,决策曲线在5–30%阈值范围内显示净获益。作者认为该模型可作为常规临床数据的预筛工具,用于优先安排遗传检测,但阳性预测值偏低、验证置信区间较宽,尚需前瞻性多中心验证。
原文摘要
BACKGROUND: Y chromosome microdeletions (YCMs) are the second most prevalent genetic determinant of male infertility, but validated predictive models are limited. METHODS: We retrospectively enrolled 4096 male infertility patients (October 2013-October 2023) for model development and randomly divided them into training (80%, n = 3276) and testing (20%, n = 820) sets. A second, later-period validation cohort of 333 patients from the same institution (October 2024-October 2025) was used to evaluate model performance over time. A multi-stage variable selection strategy, including univariate analysis, LASSO regression, stepwise regression, and best subset selection, was applied to identify key predictors. Six predictive models, incorporating logistic regression, random forest, and XGBoost algorithms, were developed and validated using a three-tier framework assessing discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility. RESULTS: Variable selection identified sperm concentration (AUC = 0.703, P < 0.001) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH; AUC = 0.618, P = 0.012) as the key predictors of YCMs. Among six models evaluated by tenfold cross-validation, the dual-variable XGBoost model combining FSH and sperm concentration achieved near-maximal discrimination (mean AUC 0.766 ± 0.037, sensitivity 0.766, specificity 0.653, accuracy 0.661), a modest but statistically significant improvement over the sperm concentration-based logistic regression model (AUC 0.705 vs 0.766; + 8.6%; DeLong P < 0.001), though with lower sensitivity. In the later-period cohort, the model achieved an AUC of 0.762 (95% CI: 0.644-0.879), sensitivity 0.833 and specificity 0.702. Decision curve analysis suggested clinical net benefit across the 5-30% threshold range. CONCLUSIONS: The dual-variable XGBoost model, incorporating FSH and sperm concentration, demonstrates moderate predictive performance for YCMs, evaluated by tenfold cross-validation and a second, later-period validation cohort. This prescreening tool using routine clinical data may help prioritize genetic testing and improve diagnostic efficiency in male infertility management. However, the relatively low positive predictive value and the wide later-period validation confidence interval indicate that prospective multicenter validation is warranted before broader potential clinical application.
推荐理由:样本量较大,并使用独立时间验证队列;用两项常规指标(FSH、精子浓度)即可预筛Y染色体微缺失,对男性不育遗传检测分流有直接参考价值;但AUC仅中等、单中心回顾性设计限制其外推。
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