Clinical Application of Machine Learning Models for Early-Stage Chronic Kidney Disease Detection

Background/Objectives: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive condition that affects the body’s ability to remove waste and regulate fluid and electrolytes. Early detection is crucial for delaying disease progression and initiating timely interventions. Machine learning (ML) techniques have emerged as powerful tools for automating disease diagnosis and prognosis. This study aims to evaluate the predictive performance of individual and ensemble ML algorithms for the early classification of CKD. Methods: A clinically annotated dataset was utilized to categorize patients into CKD and non-CKD groups. The models investigated included Logistic Regression, Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA), Ridge Classifier, Naïve Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Machine (SVM), and Ensemble learning strategies. A systematic preprocessing pipeline was implemented, and model performance was assessed using accuracy, precision, recall, F1 score, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Results: The empirical findings reveal that ML-based classifiers achieved high predictive accuracy in CKD detection. Ensemble learning methods outperformed individual models in terms of robustness and generalization, indicating their potential in clinical decision-making contexts. Conclusions: The study demonstrates the efficacy of ML-based frameworks for early CKD prediction, offering a scalable, interpretable, and accurate clinical decision support approach. The proposed methodology supports timely diagnosis and can assist healthcare professionals in improving patient outcomes.