A new simulation study led by researchers at Istanbul Bilgi University has revealed promising results for artificial intelligence's role in developing dietary management plans for patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The study, utilizing GPT-4, demonstrated the AI's fundamental ability to create nutritional recommendations while highlighting areas requiring refinement.
AI Performance in Dietary Planning
The research team, led by Dr. Tugce Ozlu Karahan, conducted a comprehensive evaluation using a virtual cohort of 48 patients, equally distributed by gender and standardized at age 50. The study assessed ChatGPT's ability to generate appropriate dietary plans across various BMI categories, from underweight to obese.
The AI system showed impressive accuracy in several areas, achieving 91.3% accuracy in energy recommendations. However, the analysis revealed notable variations in macronutrient distributions. The AI-generated plans exceeded recommended levels for protein (136.3%), fat (133.4%), and saturated fatty acids (136.7%), while falling short on carbohydrates (51.2%) and fiber (88.1%).
BMI-Specific Performance Analysis
The study revealed significant variations in the AI's performance across different BMI categories. Notable findings include:
- Energy and fat recommendation accuracy improved progressively from underweight to overweight patients
- Protein and carbohydrate recommendation accuracy decreased from underweight to obese patients
- Fiber and saturated fatty acid recommendations showed consistent accuracy across all BMI categories
Clinical Implications and Limitations
While ChatGPT demonstrated proficiency in certain aspects of dietary management, including recommendations to reduce saturated fats and ultra-processed foods, researchers identified several limitations. The AI system did not consistently provide guidance on Mediterranean diet adherence or physical activity recommendations, both crucial components in MASLD management.
The timing of this research is particularly relevant, following the recent FDA approval of resmetirom (Rezdiffra) as the first treatment for noncirrhotic metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Despite this pharmaceutical advancement, dietary and lifestyle modifications remain cornerstone elements of disease management.
Future Directions
Dr. Karahan and colleagues emphasize that while AI tools show promise for personalized nutrition management, further refinement is necessary to ensure complete alignment with established clinical guidelines. The study underscores the potential for AI to complement traditional dietary planning approaches while highlighting the need for continued development to address current limitations.
