Applicability of internet search index for asthma admission forecast using machine learning

Objective This study aimed to determine whether a search index could provide insight into trends in asthma admission in China. An Internet search index is a powerful tool to monitor and predict epidemic outbreaks. However, whether using an internet search index can significantly improve asthma admissions forecasts remains unknown. The long‐term goal is to develop a surveillance system to help early detection and interventions for asthma and to avoid asthma health care resource shortages in advance. Methods In this study, we used a search index combined with air pollution data, weather data, and historical admissions data to forecast asthma admissions using machine learning. Results Results demonstrated that the best area under the curve in the test set that can be achieved is 0.832, using all predictors mentioned earlier. Conclusion A search index is a powerful predictor in asthma admissions forecast, and a recent search index can reflect current asthma admissions with a lag‐effect to a certain extent. The addition of a real‐time, easily accessible search index improves forecasting capabilities and demonstrates the predictive potential of search index.