Ahmed El-Sayed

There is a growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare settings, but challenges exist with AI adoption and its long-term use. This umbrella review funded by the NIHR (NIHR205439), aimed to identify the facilitators and barriers of AI implementation within hospitals and was registered on PROSPERO. Five databases (MEDLINE, HMIC, CINAHL Plus, Web of Science and Cochrane Reviews) were searched in January 2025 and re-run in February 2026, 1184 articles were screened, with 20 included. The inclusion criteria encompassed reviews implementing AI within hospital settings. The quality of the data were assessed using the ROBIS checklist and data were synthesised using the NASSS (Nonadoption, Abandonment, and challenges to the Scale-up, Spread, and Sustainability) framework. We found AI implementation was affected by: whether an AI solution as an intervention had been externally validated to ensure generalisability across different settings; evidence that the AI solution brings measurable gains; the level of trust in and understanding of the AI solution among hospital staff; the budgets and resources available to onboard the AI solution, train staff, and maintain the solution; the need for national policies on funding and regulating AI solutions. These factors affected the adoption, spread, scalability, and sustainability of AI implementation and should be considered for future implementation.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has progressed rapidly in gastroenterology, especially in colonoscopy, which is well positioned to benefit from AI due to the high global procedure volume and variability in quality across operators. In this review, we summarise the latest updates in the field, its current benefits, and further work required to accelerate its translation in day-to-day clinical practice. Summary: Computer-aided detection systems are the most established AI system in colonoscopy, with robust evidence from randomised controlled trials showing significant improvements in adenoma detection rates. However, translation into real-world clinical practice has been less impactful, hindered by implementation challenges and lack of reimbursement pathways. Computer-aided diagnosis systems aim to support histological decision-making for diminutive polyps but have shown inconsistent benefits in clinical trials, reflecting complex human-computer interactions. Computer-aided quality systems, while in earlier stages, hold promise for standardising quality metrics. Novel applications in IBD demonstrate the potential of AI to standardise disease activity scoring and predict relapse, while therapeutic applications remain in proof-of-concept phases. Key Messages: Successful adoption of AI will depend on seamless workflow integration, better understanding of human-AI interaction, cost-effectiveness, establishing reimbursement and training pathways, clinician endorsement, and frameworks addressing fairness, accountability, and bias. The more distant future directions are likely to involve fully integrated multi-modal AI systems, personalised surveillance, and AI-assisted therapeutic interventions.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a significant public health issue, representing one of the greatest causes of both cancer diagnosis and mortality globally. While the incidence is highest in high-income countries, it is rising across the world, including in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Many countries have implemented national screening programmes to reduce the burden of CRC, utilising mostly stool tests and colonoscopy, but this has yet to occur across most MENA countries. Uptake of screening opportunities is generally poor. System-level barriers to establishing screening programmes include cost constraints and limited screening infrastructure. Patient-level barriers include embarrassment, fear of a cancer diagnosis, and limited awareness/education. Screening programmes across the MENA region would likely reduce the CRC incidence. These barriers must be overcome through patient education and government action to ensure appropriate patient uptake. This study aims to examine CRC screening practices across MENA, identify key barriers, and propose solutions for sustainable CRC management in the region, through a narrative review and expert input from the Middle East and North Africa Colorectal Cancer (MENA-CRC) Screening and Prevention collaborators.

The gut microbiome is of paramount importance in preserving internal balance in the gastrointestinal tract; therefore, disruptions in its regulation have been linked to the development of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). This article explores the intricate details of the gastrointestinal microbiome as it pertains to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), with an emphasis on the Middle East. The study reviews the typical gut microbiome, modifications in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), determinants impacting the gut microbiome of the Middle East, and prospective therapeutic interventions.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a relapsing–remitting inflammatory condition that has an increasing incidence across the world, including in the Middle East. Biological monoclonal antibody drugs (biologics) have been shown to be advantageous in treating UC. We undertook a review of the currently available biological and small-molecule therapies, with a particular emphasis on those currently licensed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Methods: We conducted a literature search for studies on biological therapies using the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase databases using a list of keywords that were generated following referral to existing treatment guidelines for UC. Papers looking at biological and small-molecule treatments for UC in adult populations were included. Pediatric, pregnancy, and cost-effectiveness studies were excluded. Results and Discussion: There are currently three classes of biologics (anti-tumor necrosis factors (anti-TNFs), anti-integrins, and anti-interleukins) and one class of small-molecule therapy (Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor) licensed for UC treatment in the UAE. Within the anti-TNF class, three medications have been approved: infliximab, adalimumab, and golimumab. For JAK inhibitors, there are two: tofacitinib and upadacitinib. There is only one licensed medication in the remaining classes: vedolizumab (anti-integrin) and ustekinumab (anti-interleukin). The length of studies varied from 6–8 weeks for induction studies and 52 weeks for maintenance studies. The studies demonstrated increased efficacy in these medications compared to placebos when clinical response, clinical remission, and other secondary measures such as mucosal healing were assessed following the induction and maintenance phases. Biosimilars of infliximab and adalimumab are also available for treating UC, and their safety and efficacy were compared to their biologic originators. Conclusions: The introduction of biologics has been proven to be beneficial for the treatment of UC. This review summarizes the efficacy and safety of each biological class in the treatment of the disease; however, biological drug registries and further studies are required to offer more insight into the comparative efficacy and safety of these agents.

Objective The National Health Service (NHS) produces more carbon emissions than any public sector organisation in England. In 2020, it became the first health service worldwide to commit to becoming carbon net zero, the same year as the COVID-19 pandemic forced healthcare systems globally to rapidly adapt service delivery. As part of this, outpatient appointments became largely remote. Although the environmental benefit of this change may seem intuitive the impact on patient outcomes must remain a priority. Previous studies have evaluated the impact of telemedicine on emission reduction and patient outcomes but never before in the gastroenterology outpatient setting. Method 2140 appointments from general gastroenterology clinics across 11 Trusts were retrospectively analysed prior to and during the pandemic. 100 consecutive appointments during two periods of time, from 1 June 2019 (prepandemic) to 1 June 2020 (during the pandemic), were used. Patients were telephoned to confirm the mode of transport used to attend their appointment and electronic patient records reviewed to assess did-not-attend (DNA) rates, 90-day admission rates and 90-day mortality rates. Results Remote consultations greatly reduced the carbon emissions associated with each appointment. Although more patients DNA their remote consultations and doctors more frequently requested follow-up blood tests when reviewing patients face-to-face, there was no significant difference in patient 90-day admissions or mortality when consultations were remote. Conclusion Teleconsultations can provide patients with a flexible and safe means of being reviewed in outpatient clinics while simultaneously having a major impact on the reduction of carbon emissions created by the NHS.

Background. Infective endocarditis (IE) is challenging to manage in the COVID-19 lockdown period, in part given its reliance on echocardiography for diagnosis and management and the associated virus transmission risks to patients and healthcare workers. This study assesses utilisation of the endocarditis team (ET) in limiting routine echocardiography, especially transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE), in patients with suspected IE, and explores the effect on clinical outcomes. Methods. All patients discussed at the ET meeting at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust during the first lockdown in the UK (23 March to 8 July 2020) were prospectively included and analysed in this observational study. Results. In total, 38 patients were referred for ET review (71% male, median age 54 [interquartile range 48, 65.5] years). At the time of ET discussion, 21% had no echo imaging, 16% had point-of-care ultrasound only, and 63% had formal TTE. In total, only 16% underwent TOE. The ability of echocardiography, in those where it was performed, to affect IE diagnosis according to the Modified Duke Criteria was significant ( ); however, sensitivity was not affected. All-cause mortality was 17% at 30 days and 25% at 12 months from ET discussion in those with confirmed IE. Conclusion. Limiting echocardiography in patients with a low pretest probability (not probable or definite IE according to the Modified Duke Criteria) did not affect the diagnostic ability of the Modified Duke Criteria to rule out IE in this small study. Moreover, restricting nonessential echocardiography, and importantly TOE, in patients with suspected IE through use of the ET did not impact all-cause mortality.

Background : Nocturnal Enuresis (NE) and its comorbid psychiatric disorders affect Quality of Life (QoL) of children and their families. This sample survey cross sectional study was carried out in pediatric department in coordination with psychiatric department from June 2018 to June 2019 to detect frequency of psychiatric disorders and associated risk factors in children and adolescents with NE in Zagazig University Hospitals to improve health and QoL of them. Methods: Thirty patients (16 male, 14 female) with NE aged 5 to 18 years were subjected to history taking and examination. A questionnaire was distributed to children and parents. An interview was done with cases with NE according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders (DSM- V) for application of the arabic version of Children' s Manifest Anxiety Scale "CMAS" , Children Depression Inventory (CDI), arabic abuse and neglect scale for children , Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL-6-18), Pediatric Incontinence Questionnaire (PinQ) and DSM- V edition criteria for diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) .Results: 73.3% of patients had their QoL affected , 70% of had behavioral abnormalities, 40% had decreased self-esteem and 36.7 % had high degrees of child abuse, 33.3 % had psychosocial problems, 83.3 % had parent stress and anxiety, 63.3% had ADHD, 50 % had ODD, 66.7 % had depression ,and all of them had anxiety with different degrees .Conclusion: Children with NE presented with increased rates of psychiatric disorders, impaired self-esteem and reduced QoL affects their relationships with friends.