Chronic Disease Prevalence and Risk Factors at Intermed Hospital’s Health Screening Center: Insights from Selvy AI Risk Assessments

Chronic diseases, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancers are major public health concerns globally. These conditions significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality rates, underscoring the need for effective prevention and management strategies. According to the Global Burden of Disease study, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of disease burden worldwide, followed by cancers and diabetes [1]. In Mongolia, the leading causes of mortality are cardiovascular diseases, cancers, and injuries. Notably, men aged 40-44 exhibit a higher mortality rate from cardiovascular diseases compared to other age groups [2]. Furthermore, the prevalence of type 2 diabetes was recorded at 3.1% in 1999. By 2023, this figure had increased significantly to 10.8%, highlighting a concerning upward trend in the national burden of diabetes over the past two decades [3]. In 2024, cancer accounted for one in every five deaths in Mongolia, with 4,755 cancer-related fatalities and 8,169 newly diagnosed cases-a 13% increase from the previous year-highlighting liver, stomach, lung, cervical, and colorectal cancers as the most prevalent types contributing to the nation’s growing public health burden [4]. Evaluating the risks of these conditions during health screening checkups is crucial for early detection and prevention. Understanding the prevalence and risk factors of chronic diseases within specific populations is essential for developing targeted interventions that can mitigate these health risks and improve overall public health outcomes. In recent years, the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare sector has been rapidly advancing, particularly in the application of AI for predicting disease risks during preventive health screenings [5]. By utilizing the Selvy AI calculator, we aim to enhance the accuracy and depth of our risk assessments. The Selvy AI tool, developed by the DIOTEK company in collaboration with a major hospital in South Korea, possesses advanced analytical capabilities for predicting the risk of major diseases-including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke, dementia, and various cancers-by analyzing health screening data [6]. Comprehensive evaluation of individual risk profiles not only helps identify high-risk individuals but also informs public health initiatives aimed at reducing the burden of chronic diseases in Mongolia.

This cross-sectional study includes 206 patients, and the dataset comprises information on demographics, medical history, lifestyle factors, and laboratory measurements.

Participants

From January to December 2024, a total of 206 patients who underwent preventive health screening were included in this study. Based on a designed AI questionnaire, data were collected, and laboratory results were entered into the AI system to calculate individual risk assessments. Selvy AI estimates the risk of developing chronic diseases over the next four years based on a patient’s medical history, blood pressure, Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, laboratory test results, physical activity level, and alcohol and tobacco use.

Data analysis

Analyses were conducted using SPSS 26 and Stata 14 statistical analysing program. The results of summary analysis were expressed as mean (standard deviation) and percentage (number) and standard deviation of the mean variation of numerical values. Statistical analysis was performed to identify the prevalence of chronic diseases and their association with various risk factors. Chi-square tests were used to calculate p-values for the association between risk factors and chronic diseases. Also, the OR, its 95% confidence interval, and statistical significance at the 0.05 level were calculated.

In our study, a total of 206 individuals aged 20-84 years participated in health screening checkup in 2024. The average age was 41.1±12.85 years. Among the participants, 85 (41.3%) were male and 121 (58.7%) were female, indicating a slight predominance of females. The general characteristics of the study participants are shown in Table 1. The body mass index and waist circumference are higher in males, and the consumption of alcohol and tobacco is significantly more prevalent among males. Furthermore, the investigation into blood pressure elevation during examinations indicated that males exhibited a significantly greater increase in blood pressure compared to females (Table 1). The average number of cigarettes smoked per day among all participants was 6.63±0.86, and the average duration of smoking was 10.78±0.89 years. Using Selvy AI, the risk percentages for potential diseases over the next four years (based on AI module) were calculated. The results indicate that men have a higher risk of developing diabetes and liver cancer, whereas women have a higher risk of developing dementia. No significant gender-specific differences were observed for other diseases (Table 2). The analysis of laboratory test results revealed that men exhibited significantly higher levels of blood triglycerides, low-density and high-density lipoproteins, liver function indicators, renal function indicators, and fasting blood glucose compared to women (Table 3). The study of risk factors for the development of diabetes revealed that an increase in body mass index and waist circumference is significantly associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes. Additionally, higher blood triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of diabetes, whereas higher levels of low-density lipoproteins appear to be a protective factor (Table 4).

Table 1: Characteristics of the study participants.

Table 2: Comparison of AI calculated risk percentages for disease.

Table 3: Comparison of mean laboratory test values between male and female participants.

Table 4: Risk factors for diabetes mellitus.

Body Mass Index (BMI) and abdominal obesity are among the leading risk factors for noncommunicable diseases in the world. In our study, the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) of participants was 25.62±5.48, with males showing a higher mean of 27.82±0.60. These results are comparable to findings from international studies on body weight. Notably, one in three adults in the world is classified as overweight, with the prevalence being one in three among men and one in four among women [7]. Elevated levels of dyslipidaemia, impaired liver function markers, and fasting blood glucose observed among male participants suggest a tendency toward neglecting personal health, poor dietary habits, and limited health literacy. These findings underscore the need for targeted health education and preventive strategies, particularly among men. AI-based cancer risk assessments in our study revealed that male participants exhibited a higher predicted risk of cancer compared to females. This finding aligns with global data, including a 2023 study by Tan et al., which reported that men are disproportionately affected by liver cancer, with significantly higher incidence, mortality, and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) than women across 204 countries [8].

AI in the medical field has changed the predicative, diagnosing, and preventive characteristics of various diseases, which is a major development. Predictive health utilizes artificial intelligence to accommodate a great amount of clinical and genetic information to enhance the recognition of diseases and carry out preventive actions, changing the way of work for healthcare providers [9]. Similar to global trends, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing across various sectors in Mongolia. In the healthcare field, AI is being widely applied in diagnostic imaging. As a newly emerging discipline, preventive medicine has begun to incorporate AI technologies to estimate disease risks and calculate probabilities, thereby enhancing early detection and intervention strategies. In Mongolia, cardiovascular diseases and cancers remain among the leading causes of mortality. It is deeply concerning that many individuals lose their lives and working ability due to preventable conditions. Participation in preventive health screenings alone can significantly reduce these risks. Moreover, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into these screenings plays a crucial role in generating personalized and evidence-based risk assessments, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of early intervention strategies.

Among the general population, overweight, abdominal obesity, and dyslipidaemia are highly prevalent, contributing significantly to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Moreover, men exhibit a higher risk for cardiovascular conditions, diabetes and liver cancer compared to women. Moving forward, it is essential to promote participation in preventive health screenings, integrate AI-based risk assessment tools, and enhance public health education to effectively reduce the burden of noncommunicable diseases in Mongolia.

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