Breaking barriers in ICD classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical coding

Abstract The accurate classification of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes is a complex and critical multi-label task in clinical documentation, involving the assignment of diagnostic codes to medical discharge summaries. Existing automated methods face challenges due to the sparsi...

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Main Authors: Suyang Xi, Jiesen Shi, Jiachen Yan, MingJing Lin, Xinyi Zhou, Yuan Cheng, Hong Ding, Chia Chao Kang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10590-1
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author Suyang Xi
Jiesen Shi
Jiachen Yan
MingJing Lin
Xinyi Zhou
Yuan Cheng
Hong Ding
Chia Chao Kang
author_facet Suyang Xi
Jiesen Shi
Jiachen Yan
MingJing Lin
Xinyi Zhou
Yuan Cheng
Hong Ding
Chia Chao Kang
author_sort Suyang Xi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract The accurate classification of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes is a complex and critical multi-label task in clinical documentation, involving the assignment of diagnostic codes to medical discharge summaries. Existing automated methods face challenges due to the sparsity and nuanced nature of medical text, while traditional backpropagation-based models often lack flexibility and robustness. To address these issues, we propose Labeled Graph Generation with Node Representation Grasp (LGG-NRGrasp), an advanced adversarial learning framework that models ICD coding as a labeled graph generation problem. By leveraging a hierarchical structure to refine feature learning, our approach addresses the issue of over-smoothing in deep graph neural networks. A key innovation of LGG-NRGrasp is the integration of adversarial reinforcement learning and domain adaptation techniques, which enhance its ability to generalize across heterogeneous datasets. Extensive evaluations on benchmark datasets indicate that LGG-NRGrasp markedly surpasses leading models, exhibiting enhanced performance and dependability in automated ICD coding.
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id doaj-art-5c3539a50cc44e1498a75d2e90c97604
institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Nature Portfolio
record_format Article
series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-5c3539a50cc44e1498a75d2e90c976042025-08-20T03:46:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111710.1038/s41598-025-10590-1Breaking barriers in ICD classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical codingSuyang Xi0Jiesen Shi1Jiachen Yan2MingJing Lin3Xinyi Zhou4Yuan Cheng5Hong Ding6Chia Chao Kang7School of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xiamen University MalaysiaSchool of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xiamen University MalaysiaSchool of Communication, Xiamen University MalaysiaSchool of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xiamen University MalaysiaSchool of Life and Health Sciences, Hainan UniversitySchool of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xiamen University MalaysiaSchool of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xiamen University MalaysiaSchool of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Xiamen University MalaysiaAbstract The accurate classification of International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes is a complex and critical multi-label task in clinical documentation, involving the assignment of diagnostic codes to medical discharge summaries. Existing automated methods face challenges due to the sparsity and nuanced nature of medical text, while traditional backpropagation-based models often lack flexibility and robustness. To address these issues, we propose Labeled Graph Generation with Node Representation Grasp (LGG-NRGrasp), an advanced adversarial learning framework that models ICD coding as a labeled graph generation problem. By leveraging a hierarchical structure to refine feature learning, our approach addresses the issue of over-smoothing in deep graph neural networks. A key innovation of LGG-NRGrasp is the integration of adversarial reinforcement learning and domain adaptation techniques, which enhance its ability to generalize across heterogeneous datasets. Extensive evaluations on benchmark datasets indicate that LGG-NRGrasp markedly surpasses leading models, exhibiting enhanced performance and dependability in automated ICD coding.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10590-1
spellingShingle Suyang Xi
Jiesen Shi
Jiachen Yan
MingJing Lin
Xinyi Zhou
Yuan Cheng
Hong Ding
Chia Chao Kang
Breaking barriers in ICD classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical coding
Scientific Reports
title Breaking barriers in ICD classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical coding
title_full Breaking barriers in ICD classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical coding
title_fullStr Breaking barriers in ICD classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical coding
title_full_unstemmed Breaking barriers in ICD classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical coding
title_short Breaking barriers in ICD classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical coding
title_sort breaking barriers in icd classification with a robust graph neural network for hierarchical coding
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-10590-1
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