Kareem Khalaf

Dr. Kareem Khalaf

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

6Years (2021-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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1 September 2023 in Annals of Internal Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
CHCesare Hassan
Cesare Hassan
Marco SpadacciniMarco Spadaccini
Marco Spadaccini
YMYuichi Mori
Yuichi Mori
FFFarid Foroutan
Farid Foroutan
AFAntonio Facciorusso
Antonio Facciorusso
ARAlessandro Repici
Alessandro Repici
Artificial intelligence computer-aided detection (CADe) of colorectal neoplasia during colonoscopy may increase adenoma detection rates (ADRs) and reduce adenoma miss rates, but it may increase overdiagnosis and overtreatment of nonneoplastic polyps. To quantify the benefits and harms of CADe in randomized trials. Systematic review and meta-analysis. (PROSPERO: CRD42022293181). Medline, Embase, and Scopus databases through February 2023. Randomized trials comparing CADe-assisted with standard colonoscopy for polyp and cancer detection. Adenoma detection rate (proportion of patients with ≥1 adenoma), number of adenomas detected per colonoscopy, advanced adenoma (≥10 mm with high-grade dysplasia and villous histology), number of serrated lesions per colonoscopy, and adenoma miss rate were extracted as benefit outcomes. Number of polypectomies for nonneoplastic lesions and withdrawal time were extracted as harm outcomes. For each outcome, studies were pooled using a random-effects model. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) framework. Twenty-one randomized trials on 18 232 patients were included. The ADR was higher in the CADe group than in the standard colonoscopy group (44.0% vs. 35.9%; relative risk, 1.24 [95% CI, 1.16 to 1.33]; low-certainty evidence), corresponding to a 55% (risk ratio, 0.45 [CI, 0.35 to 0.58]) relative reduction in miss rate (moderate-certainty evidence). More nonneoplastic polyps were removed in the CADe than the standard group (0.52 vs. 0.34 per colonoscopy; mean difference [MD], 0.18 polypectomy [CI, 0.11 to 0.26 polypectomy]; low-certainty evidence). Mean inspection time increased only marginally with CADe (MD, 0.47 minute [CI, 0.23 to 0.72 minute]; moderate-certainty evidence). This review focused on surrogates of patient-important outcomes. Most patients, however, may consider cancer incidence and cancer-related mortality important outcomes. The effect of CADe on such patient-important outcomes remains unclear. The use of CADe for polyp detection during colonoscopy results in increased detection of adenomas but not advanced adenomas and in higher rates of unnecessary removal of nonneoplastic polyps. European Commission Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Individual Fellowship.

Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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KKKareem Khalaf
Kareem Khalaf
MTMaria Terrin
Maria Terrin
MJManol Jovani
Manol Jovani
TRTommy Rizkala
Tommy Rizkala
Marco SpadacciniMarco Spadaccini
Marco Spadaccini
SCSilvia Carrara
Silvia Carrara
Background: Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) is widely used for the diagnosis of bilio-pancreatic and gastrointestinal (GI) tract diseases, for the evaluation of subepithelial lesions, and for sampling of lymph nodes and solid masses located next to the GI tract. The role of Artificial Intelligence in healthcare in growing. This review aimed to provide an overview of the current state of AI in EUS from imaging to pathological diagnosis and training. Methods: AI algorithms can assist in lesion detection and characterization in EUS by analyzing EUS images and identifying suspicious areas that may require further clinical evaluation or biopsy sampling. Deep learning techniques, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs), have shown great potential for tumor identification and subepithelial lesion (SEL) evaluation by extracting important features from EUS images and using them to classify or segment the images. Results: AI models with new features can increase the accuracy of diagnoses, provide faster diagnoses, identify subtle differences in disease presentation that may be missed by human eyes, and provide more information and insights into disease pathology. Conclusions: The integration of AI in EUS images and biopsies has the potential to improve the diagnostic accuracy, leading to better patient outcomes and to a reduction in repeated procedures in case of non-diagnostic biopsies.

8 March 2024 in Digestive and Liver Disease
Verified
Journal Article
Closed access
Marco SpadacciniMarco Spadaccini
Marco Spadaccini
JTJoel Troya
Joel Troya
KKKareem Khalaf
Kareem Khalaf
Antonio FacciorussoAntonio Facciorusso
Antonio Facciorusso
RMRoberta Maselli
Roberta Maselli
ARAlessandro Repici
Alessandro Repici

30 August 2023 in European Journal of Internal Medicine
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SRStefano Rigo
Stefano Rigo
Franca BarbicFranca Barbic
Franca Barbic
KKKareem Khalaf
Kareem Khalaf
ABAndrea Bisoglio
Andrea Bisoglio
MPMargherita Pani
Margherita Pani
RFRaffaello Furlan
Raffaello Furlan
Long-COVID syndrome is characterized by fatigue, orthostatic intolerance, tachycardia, pain, memory difficulties, and brain fog, which may be associated with autonomic nervous system abnormalities. We aimed to evaluate the short and long-term course of COVID-19 autonomic symptoms and quality of life (QoL) after SARS-CoV-2 infection through a one-year follow-up combined with validated questionnaires. Additionally, we aimed to identify patients with worsening autonomic symptoms at 6 and 12 months by dividing the patient cohort into two sub-groups: the Post-COVID healed Control sub-group (total score16.4). This prospective cohort studied 112 SARS-CoV-2 positive patients discharged from Humanitas Research Hospital between January and March 2021. Autonomic symptoms and QoL were assessed using the composite autonomic symptom scale 31 (COMPASS-31) and Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires at various time points: before SARS-CoV-2 infection (PRE), at hospital discharge (T0), and at 1 (T1), 3 (T3), 6 (T6), and 12 (T12) months of follow-up. COMPASS-31 total score, Orthostatic Intolerance and Gastrointestinal function indices, QoL, physical functioning, pain, and fatigue scores worsened at T0 compared to PRE but progressively improved at T1 and T3, reflecting the acute phase of COVID-19. Unexpectedly, these indices worsened at T6 and T12 compared to T3. Subgroup analysis revealed that 47% of patients experienced worsening autonomic symptoms at T6 and T12, indicating Long-COVID autonomic syndrome. Early rehabilitative and pharmacological therapy is recommended for patients at the T1 and T3 stages after SARS-CoV-2 infection to minimize the risk of developing long-term autonomic syndrome.

16 April 2024 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Alessandro FugazzaAlessandro Fugazza
Alessandro Fugazza
MAMarta Andreozzi
Marta Andreozzi
HAHamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
AIAGUSTIN INSAUSTI
AGUSTIN INSAUSTI
Marco SpadacciniMarco Spadaccini
Marco Spadaccini
ARAlessandro Repici
Alessandro Repici
Gastrojejunostomy is the principal method of palliation for unresectable malignant gastric outlet obstructions (GOO). Gastrojejunostomy was traditionally performed as a surgical procedure with an open approach butrecently, notable progress in the development of minimally invasive procedures such as laparoscopic gastrojejunostomies have emerged. Additionally, advancements in endoscopic techniques, including endoscopic stenting (ES) and endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy (EUS-GE), are becoming more prominent. ES involves the placement of self-expandable metal stents (SEMS) to restore luminal patency. ES is commonly the first choice for patients deemed unfit for surgery or at high surgical risk. However, although ES leads to rapid improvement of symptoms, it carries limitations like higher stent dysfunction rates and the need for frequent re-interventions. Recently, EUS-GE has emerged as a potential alternative, combining the minimally invasive nature of the endoscopic approach with the long-lasting effects of a gastrojejunostomy. Having reviewed the advantages and disadvantages of these different techniques, this article aims to provide a comprehensive review regarding the management of unresectable malignant GOO.

28 November 2021 in Medicina
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
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Sergio PintoSergio Pinto
Sergio Pinto
Saverio BellizziSaverio Bellizzi
Saverio Bellizzi
RBRoberta Badas
Roberta Badas
MCMaria Laura Canfora
Maria Laura Canfora
ELErica Loddo
Erica Loddo
SBSilvio Bergamini
Silvio Bergamini
Walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN) is one of the local complications of acute pancreatitis (AP). Several interventional techniques have been developed over the last few years. The purpose of this narrative review is to explore such methodologies, with specific focus on endoscopic drainage and direct endoscopic necrosectomy (DEN), through evaluation of their indications and timing for intervention. Findings indicated how, after the introduction of lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS), DEN is becoming the favorite technique to treat WOPN, especially when large solid debris or infection are present. Additionally, DEN is associated with a lower adverse events rate and hospital stay, and with improved clinical outcome.