ID3 algorithm in data mining applied to diabetes database

The past decade has seen a flurry of promising breakthroughs in data mining predictions. Many of these developments hold the potential to prevent dreadful diseases to improve the quality of life. The advances in medical science and technology have corresponded to the use of computer algorithms as an intermediary between the medical researchers and technocrats. Diabetes Mellitus is a major killer disease of mankind today. Data mining techniques can be used to highlight the significant factors causing such a disorder. Even though total cure is not possible for this pancreatic disorder the complications can be avoided by awareness using data mining algorithms. In this paper, eight major factors playing significant role in the Pima Indian population are analyzed. Real time data is taken from the dataset of National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The data is subjected to an analysis by logistic regression method using spss 7.5 statistical software, to isolate the most significant factors. Then the significant factors are further applied to decision tree technique called the Iterative Dichotomiser-3 algorithm which leads to significant conclusions. Conglomeration of data mining techniques and medical research can lead to life saving conclusions useful for the physicians.