Predictive modeling for clinical features associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1

Objective: Perform a longitudinal analysis of clinical features associated with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) based on demographic and clinical characteristics, and to apply a machine learning strategy to determine feasibility of developing exploratory predictive models of optic pathway glioma (OPG) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in a pediatric NF1 cohort.

Methods: Using NF1 as a model system, we perform retrospective data analyses utilizing a manually-curated NF1 clinical registry and electronic health record (EHR) information, and develop machine-learning models. Data for 798 individuals were available, with 578 comprising the pediatric cohort used for analysis.

Results: Males and females were evenly represented in the cohort. White children were more likely to develop OPG (OR: 2.11, 95%CI: 1.11-4.00, p=0.02) relative to their non-white peers. Median age at diagnosis of OPG was 6.5 years (1.7-17.0), irrespective of sex. Males were more likely than females t...