A Digital Breakthrough in Endocrinology: Online Calculator from Novosibirsk Scientists

Transforming Diagnostics with Data

Scientists from the Novosibirsk Research Institute of Therapy and Preventive Medicine (NIITPM), a branch of the Institute of Cytology and Genetics under the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, have unveiled an innovative online calculator that can assess the likelihood of diabetes type 1 or type 2 in young patients within minutes.

The algorithm takes into account a patient’s age, gender, glucose level, glycated hemoglobin (HbA₁c), family history, and other key indicators. Based on a comprehensive database of clinical records, the tool identifies significant metabolic markers that distinguish between diabetes types.

For healthcare systems, the tool represents a critical step toward precision medicine — enabling early, data-driven diagnostics, particularly valuable in regions with limited access to specialized endocrinologists.

For patients, it means faster consultation times, earlier interventions, and reduced treatment risks. This development underscores the growing maturity of Russia’s medical technology sector, where biomedical research, big data analytics, and digital innovation are merging to redefine healthcare standards.

“We have developed an online calculator that will be available to all endocrinologists during consultations. It’s based on several simple parameters — age, gender, glucose level, glycated hemoglobin, family history, and a few others. The calculator processes the data and shows the percentage probability of each diabetes type. It can be used on both computers and smartphones.”

Alla Ovsyannikova

Doctor of Medical Sciences and Senior Researcher at NIITPM

Future Expansion and Challenges

The developers plan to expand the calculator’s capabilities in the coming years by adding new biomarkers, adapting it for broader age groups, and integrating it into telemedicine platforms. The long-term vision includes linking the tool to electronic health records to automatically generate personalized treatment recommendations.

However, moving from prototype to nationwide adoption will require overcoming several hurdles. These include rigorous clinical validation, data security compliance, international certification of medical software, and comprehensive physician training.

Each step will help ensure the tool meets global medical standards while maintaining patient trust.

Riding the Global Digital Health Wave

The Novosibirsk project aligns with international trends in digital healthcare. Similar diagnostic calculators — such as the Framingham Risk Score used for cardiovascular assessments — have long been adopted worldwide. What distinguishes the Russian innovation is its strong grounding in domestic clinical data and its focus on differential diagnosis of diabetes among young populations, where symptoms often overlap.

The team plans to secure a patent by 2026, followed by pilot deployment across regional hospitals. If successful, the tool could set a new benchmark for how artificial intelligence and big data can assist doctors in complex diagnostic decision-making.

From Research to Real-World Impact

This development represents how academic science can evolve into applied innovation that directly benefits society. If the calculator passes full validation and certification, it could strengthen Russia’s healthcare system and even become a competitive export product in digital health technologies. Ultimately, the goal is to build an ecosystem where data actively contributes to improving people’s lives and medical outcomes.