Browsing by Author "Hamade, Nour"

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    'Artificial intelligence in Barrett's Esophagus'
    (Sage, 2021-10-12) Hamade, Nour; Sharma, Prateek; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Despite advances in endoscopic imaging modalities, there are still significant miss rates of dysplasia and cancer in Barrett's esophagus. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising tool that may potentially be a useful adjunct to the endoscopist in detecting subtle dysplasia and cancer. Studies have shown AI systems have a sensitivity of more than 90% and specificity of more than 80% in detecting Barrett's related dysplasia and cancer. Beyond visual detection and diagnosis, AI may also prove to be useful in quality control, streamlining clinical work, documentation, and lessening the administrative load on physicians. Research in this area is advancing at a rapid rate, and as the field expands, regulations and guidelines will need to be put into place to better regulate the growth and use of AI. This review provides an overview of the present and future role of AI in Barrett's esophagus.
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    Endoscopic treatments for early gastroesophageal lesions
    (AME, 2021) Srinivasan, Sachin; Hamade, Nour; Emura, Fabian; Sharma, Prateek; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Gastroesophageal (GEJ) carcinoma is well-recognized since the 1970s and has shown 2.5-fold increase in incidence since then. There still exists much controversy and ambiguity in the literature about the occurrence and recurrence of these lesions post-treatment. This has been attributed to the variability in the terms and definitions used in these junctional lesions. Despite this, great strides have been made in the treatment of early lesions decreasing morbidity and mortality from surgical treatment options. The current modalities involve ablation [like radiofrequency, cryo or argon plasma coagulation (APC)] and/or resection [endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) or endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)] depending on the type and nature of lesion. These techniques are an effective tool demonstrating high rates of complete eradication of metaplasia or dysplasia (CE-IM/CE-D). It is crucial that the endoscopists are mindful about meticulous examination of the GEJ and Cardia as well as partake in appropriate surveillance post-endoscopic eradication. In addition, appropriate documentation of the location and type of lesion is also extremely important. This review aims to compare current endoscopic techniques in their efficacy, need for expertise and risk of complications when used in the treatment of early junctional lesions. Future studies and guideline recommendations to standardize definitions, diagnoses and post-treatment surveillance are needed.
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    Retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study of detection of recurrent Barrett's esophagus and dysplasia in post-ablation patients with adjunctive use of wide-area transepithelial sample (WATS-3D)
    (Hellenic Society of Gastroenterology, 2022) Fatima, Hala; Wajid, Maryiam; Hamade, Nour; Han, Yan; Kessler, William; Dewitt, John; Rex, Douglas; Imperiale, Thomas; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background: Barrett's esophagus (BE) and dysplasia are often missed by Seattle protocol biopsies (SPB). Wide-area transepithelial sampling with 3-dimensional computer-assisted analysis (WATS-3D) with SPB improves detection in treatment-naïve patients. We aimed to determine to what extent WATS-3D adds to SPB in the detection of non-dysplastic BE (NDBE) and dysplasia in patients undergoing post-endoscopic eradication therapy (EET). Methods: This retrospective, observational, cross-sectional study included patients who presented for post-EET surveillance with SPB and WATS-3D sampling from April 2019 to February 2020. BE patients with no previous EET were excluded. For the outcomes of NDBE and any dysplastic/neoplastic finding, we calculated both relative and absolute increases in yield by WATS-3D over SBP. Results: In 78 patients [mean age 68±10.4 years, 66 (84.6%) male], the prevalence of NDBE, any dysplastic/neoplastic finding, and any abnormality (NDBE or dysplasia/neoplasia) were 53.85%, 10.26%, and 55.13%. The absolute increase in yield of NDBE with WATS-3D over SPB was 26.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.95-37.18%), with the number needed to treat (NNT) 3.71 (95%CI 2.69-5.57) and a relative increase in yield of 100% (95%CI 53.33-188.25%). For dysplasia/neoplasia, the absolute increase in yield was 6.4% (95%CI 1.28-12.82%), NNT 15.6 (95%CI 7.8-78.0), and relative increase of 167% (95%CI 33.33%-infinity). For any abnormal finding, the absolute increase in yield was 26.9% (95%CI 16.67-37.18%), NNT 3.71 (95%CI 2.69-6.00), and relative increase in yield 95% (95%CI 50-176.92%). Conclusions: WATS-3D with SPB improves the detection of residual/recurrent BE and dysplasia in post-ablation BE. However, randomized controlled trials are needed to validate these findings.
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    Systematic review with meta-analysis: neoplasia detection rate and post-endoscopy Barrett’s neoplasia in Barrett’s oesophagus
    (Wiley, 2021) Hamade, Nour; Kamboj, Amrit K.; Krishnamoorthi, Rajesh; Singh, Siddharth; Hassett, Leslie C.; Katzka, David A.; Kahi, Charles J.; Fatima, Hala; Iyer, Prasad G.; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background: Neoplasia detection rate, the proportion of Barrett's oesophagus patients with high-grade dysplasia or oesophageal adenocarcinoma detected at index surveillance endoscopy has been proposed as a quality metric. However, the correlation between neoplasia detection rate and a clinically relevant outcome like post-endoscopy Barrett's neoplasia remains unknown. Post-endoscopy Barrett's neoplasia refers to the rate of high-grade dysplasia or oesophageal adenocarcinoma on repeat endoscopy within one year of an index screening examination revealing non-dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus or low-grade dysplasia. Aim: To assess correlation between neoplasia detection rate and post-endoscopy Barrett's neoplasia. Methods: We performed a systematic search of multiple databases from date of inception to June 2021 to identify cohort studies reporting both neoplasia detection rate and post-endoscopy Barrett's neoplasia. Data from each study were pooled using a random effects model, and their correlation assessed using meta-regression. Heterogeneity was assessed and a priori planned subgroup analyses were conducted. Results: Ten studies with 27 894 patients with Barrett's oesophagus were included. The pooled neoplasia detection rate and post-endoscopy Barrett's neoplasia were 5.0% (95% CI: 3.4%-7.1%, I2 = 97%) and 19.6% (95% CI: 10.1%-34.7%, I2 = 96%), respectively. Meta-regression revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between the two variables (coefficient -3.50, 95% CI: -4.63 to -2.37, P < 0.01). With every 1% increase of neoplasia detection rate, post-endoscopy Barrett's neoplasia decreased by 3.50%. Heterogeneity was high despite adjusting for study quality and performing several subgroup analyses. Conclusion: We observed a statistically significant inverse correlation between neoplasia detection rate and post-endoscopy Barrett's neoplasia. Additional studies are needed to further validate this correlation.
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    Virtual Gastroenterology Fellowship Recruitment During COVID-19 and Its Implications for the Future
    (Springer, 2021) Hamade, Nour; Bhavsar-Burke, Indira; Jansson-Knodell, Claire; Wani, Sachin; Patel, Swati G.; Ehrlich, Adam C.; Paine, Elizabeth; Hosseini‑Carroll, Pegah; Menard-Katcher, Paul; Fayad, Nabil; Medicine, School of Medicine
    Background and Aims Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, medical education organizations endorsed a virtual recruitment format, representing a stark change from traditional in-person interviews. We aimed to identify the attitudes and perceptions of Gastroenterology Fellowship Program Directors (PDs) and applicants regarding the virtual interview experience and the role of virtual interviews (VI) in the future. Methods We designed separate surveys targeting PDs and applicants using the Qualtrics software. At the end of the interview season, we e-mailed both survey links to all PDs and requested that they forward the applicant survey to their interviewed candidates. Surveys were voluntary and anonymous. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data with results presented as percentages. Results A total of 29.7% of PDs completed the survey. Compared to traditional interviews, VI were viewed by 46.5% of PDs to be very suboptimal or suboptimal. Yet, 69.1% envisioned a role for VI in the future. A total of 14.2% of applicants completed the survey. Compared to traditional interviews, VI were viewed by 42.3% of applicants to be very suboptimal or suboptimal. However, 61.8% saw a future role for VI. While both applicants and PDs reported that establishing an interpersonal connection was a disadvantage with VI, applicants placed more emphasis on this need for connection (p = 0.001). Conclusion Overall, PDs and applicants report mixed views with regard to VI but anticipate that it may continue to have a future role. VI may augment future recruitment cycles with care taken to not disadvantage applicants, who rely heavily on the interview process to create personal connections with programs.