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I have a PHP/MySQL application that stores symptoms and the appropriate drug. What machine learning algorithm should I use to predict the drug for any symptoms. Also, what would be the format of the training set?

Features: 2 (not numeric, string/character) Samples: More than 100 No Missing Values

The Labelled data would be as follows: A combination of symptoms relate to a combination of drugs. So,

(symptom1, symptom2, symptom3) --> (drug1, drug2)

(symptom1, symptom2, symptom4) --> (drug2, drug3, drug4)

In general, one ( or more than one ) symptom links to one ( or more than one ) drug:

(symptom1, etc...) --> (drug1, etc ...)

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  • $\begingroup$ In the real world, I'd worry about interactions. I.e. you might learn that (symp1, symp2, symp3, symp4) --> (drug1, drug2, drug3, drug4) but drug1 and drug3 combined will kill you. $\endgroup$
    – Wayne
    Commented Feb 21, 2013 at 15:54
  • $\begingroup$ Even without drug interactions, there are complicated symptom interactions. (Fever, sore throat) -> cold -> go to bed and rest but (Fever, sore throat, pus on tonsils) -> strep throat -> need antibiotics or run the risk of severe complications. I don't think there is an algorithm with an acceptable performance here else medicine would be a lot easier. $\endgroup$
    – Erik
    Commented Feb 21, 2013 at 16:06
  • $\begingroup$ @Erik IBM Watson is close they say. :) $\endgroup$
    – curious_cat
    Commented Mar 5, 2013 at 18:09

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In order for us to answer, we need more information: 1. How many samples and how many features do you have? 2. How many drugs (classes)? 3. Are the features all numeric? Are there missing values? 4. Is the data balanced? (i.e. Do you expect to have the same probability for each drug?) 5. Do you have labeled data? (samples with symptoms for which you know the drug)

A sample dataset (even with synthetic data) could also help.

Edit:

After your added description, I can think of a few alternatives:

  1. Use a classifier that can handle categorical values. Start with Naive Bayes and then proceed maybe to Bayesian Networks.
  2. Use Association Rules to learn more about the relations between symptoms.
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  • $\begingroup$ I have updated the question with specifics, answering some of your questions. $\endgroup$
    – tank
    Commented Feb 21, 2013 at 15:39

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