Wearable Device Parameters in Death Event Prediction
death, a terminal illness
EVENT
Our study has proved that the physiological data measured by a wearable device can be used in clinical prediction models. The SHAP values further provide explanations for the predictions of the models. Among all the parameters in our study, “average heart rate” was identified as the most important feature in predicting a recent death event. This is consistent with previous studies, as an increased HR was noticed before an emergency visit to a hospital or in the last days of patients with a terminal illness [Besides HR, Pavic et al [Although our findings may have limitations when applied to individuals with better functional status, we believe that the results are pertinent and applicable to the patients we typically care for. Interestingly, even though our patients had limited functional abilities, we discovered that the ambulatory parameter “steps” still held predictive value for imminent mortality. This could indirectly reflect the patient’s status in very basic activities, such as changing posture, going to the bathroom, and sitting up. Patients tend to stay in bed more and decrease these activities when they enter the terminal phase.The wearable device used in our study can measure blood oxygen saturation (SpO