Exploring the Interplay of Dataset Size and Imbalance on CNN Performance in Healthcare: Using X-rays to Identify COVID-19 Patients

Introduction: Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) systems in healthcare are influenced by unbalanced datasets and varying sizes. This article delves into the impact of dataset size, class imbalance, and their interplay on CNN systems, focusing on the size of the training set versus imbalance—a unique perspective compared to the prevailing literature. Furthermore, it addresses scenarios with more than two classification groups, often overlooked but prevalent in practical settings. Methods: Initially, a CNN was developed to classify lung diseases using X-ray images, distinguishing between healthy individuals and COVID-19 patients. Later, the model was expanded to include pneumonia patients. To evaluate performance, numerous experiments were conducted with varied data sizes and imbalance ratios for both binary and ternary classifications, measuring various indices to validate the model’s efficacy. Results: The study revealed that increasing dataset size positively impacts CNN performance, but this improvement saturates beyond a certain size. A novel finding is that the data balance ratio influences performance more significantly than dataset size. The behavior of three-class classification mirrored that of binary classification, underscoring the importance of balanced datasets for accurate classification. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the fact that achieving balanced representation in datasets is crucial for optimal CNN performance in healthcare, challenging the conventional focus on dataset size. Balanced datasets improve classification accuracy, both in two-class and three-class scenarios, highlighting the need for data-balancing techniques to improve model reliability and effectiveness. Motivation: Our study is motivated by a scenario with 100 patient samples, offering two options: a balanced dataset with 200 samples and an unbalanced dataset with 500 samples (400 healthy individuals). We aim to provide insights into the optimal choice based on the interplay between dataset size and imbalance, enriching the discourse for stakeholders interested in achieving optimal model performance. Limitations: Recognizing a single model’s generalizability limitations, we assert that further studies on diverse datasets are needed.