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Dr. Ghita Harifi

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Dr. Ghita Harifi

Consultant Rheumatologist
Languages : Arabic, English, French

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Dr Ghita Harifi is a Consultant Rheumatologist and a French certified Musculoskeletal Ultrsonographer. She is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health sciences (MBRU) and a General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) Specialist Aeromedical Examiner, since 2018 .She has been practicing in Dubai since 2012.

Dr Harifi is a board certified rheumatologist, a Fellow of the Université de Strasbourg, one of France’s best research universities specialized in auto-immune diseases. She completed her Post-Graduate Certificate in Interventional Rheumatology, and her French Certificate in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound from L’Université Pierre et Marie Curie (UPMC), Sorbonne Universités, Paris.

Dr Harifi is an expert in Musculoskeletal Ultrasound and she has been leading many teaching programs in this field in the UAE and in the APLAR region.

Dr Harifi is actively involved in research and education, and has been published in numerous peer reviewed journals.

Dr Harifi represents the UAE in the APLAR Young Rheumatologists (AYR) Committee, where she has been nominated as Vice-Chairperson.

In 2022, she has received the Emirates Women Award, a prestigious distinction for women who thrive in the UAE.

Qualifications

  • French Certification in MSK Ultrasonography: « ECRIN: Ultrasound in Rheumatology » Pierre-Marie Curie University, Paris, France, 2011- 2012
  • EULAR ‘ teach of the teachers’ Musculoskeletal Ultrasonography, Paris, France 2014.
  • Master: « Interventional Rheumatology » University of Strasbourg, France, 2009-2010
  • Master: «Biostatistics and methodology in clinical research» Medical University Rabat Souissi . Morocco, 2007- 2008
  • University Diploma: « Genetic counseling and diagnosis of genetic diseases » University of Versailles Saint Quentin En Yvelines (Paris Iles de France Ouest) 2005-2006.
  • National Board in Rheumatology (DSM: Diplôme de spécialité médicale en Rhumatologie): 2010
  • Medical Doctor 1999 – 2006 niversity Cadi Ayad, Marrakech, Morocco.

Academicawards and distinctions

  • Emirates Women Award Winner for 2022
  • Recognition Award by the Christian Medical College (CMC) vellore , India during the Annual Rheumatology orations and updates , March 2018
  • Recognition Award by the Indian Society of Rheumatology during the National conference ,November 2022 , Indore , India.
  • Appreciation award by the Emirates Society of Rheumatology during the Annual meeting, May 2021, May 2022, May 2023
  • Excellence Prize winner of University CadiAyyad , Faculty of Medicine annualawards,2000and2003.
  • Ranked “1” in the Moroccan National internship competition ,October2005.
  • Prize winner in “Academic Leadership Awards”, Marrakech, July 2007.
  • First national Prize “The Fight Against Pain” for the transcultural adaptation of the DN4 question naire, February 2009
  • First Price Winner of the ‘How to read X-Rays in Rheumatic Disorders’ Course at The 6th Abu Dhabi Advanced Rheumatology Review Course ADARRC , October 2016

Publications

1) Khursheed T, Ovseiko PV, Harifi G, Badsha H, Cheng YK, Hill CL, Haq SA, Danda D, Gupta L.Rheumatol Adv Pract. 2022 Oct 25;6(3):rkac087. 2022
2) Online academic community in the Asia-Pacific countries: The paragon of a metamorphic world. Gaur PS, Saha S, Atukorale H, Lim I, Kuang CY, Wong P, Harifi G, Salim B, Danda D, Haq AU, Gupta L. Int J Rheum Dis. 2021 Oct;24(10):1229-1234.
3) Development of an Educational Video for Self-Assessment of Patients with RA: Steps, Challenges, and Responses
Nelly Ziade, Thurayya Arayssi, Bassel Elzorkany, Amani Daher, Ghada Abi Karam, Mohammad Abu Jbara, Alla Aiko, Elie Alam, Samar Al Emadi, Manal Al Mashaleh, Humeira Badsha, Lina El Kibbi, Hussein Halabi, Ghita Harifi, Bhavna Khan, Abdel Fattah Masri, Jeanine Menassa, Mira Merashli, Georges Merheb, Jamil Messaykeh, Kamel Mroue’, Sahar Saad, Nelly Salloum, Imad Uthman, Basel Masri Mediterr J Rheumatol. 2021 Mar; 32(1): 66–73.
4) Perceptions of patients with rheumatoid arthritis about selfassessment of disease activity after watching an educational video: a qualitative pilot study from the AUTO-DAS in Middle Eastern Arab countries project
Nelly Ziadé, Sahar Saad, Manal Al Mashaleh, Lina El Kibbi, Bassel Elzorkany, Humeira Badsha, Ghita Harifi, Amani Daher, Nelly Salloum, Basel Masri, Thurayya Arayssi Rheumatol Int. 2021; 41(4): 733–740. Published online 2021 Feb 6. doi: 10.1007/s00296-021-04799-2
5) Platelets Rich Plasma for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis; Case series and review of Literature :
Badsha H, Harifi G , Murrell WD.
Case Rep Rheumatol. 2020 ; 8761485
6) Arterial stenosis in antiphospholipid syndrome: Update on the
unrevealed mechanisms of an endothelial disease.
Harifi G, Nour-Eldine W, Noureldine MHA, Berjaoui MB, Kallas R, Khoury R,
Uthman I, Al-Saleh J, Khamashta MA.
Autoimmun Rev. 2018 Jan. pii: S1568-9972(18)30008-9. doi:
10.1016/j.autrev.2017.10.016. Review.
7) Hughes syndrome and epilepsy: when to test for antiphospholipid
antibodies?.
Noureldine MH, Harifi G, Berjawi A, Haydar AA, Nader M, Elnawar R,
Sweid A, Al Saleh J, Khamashta MA, Uthman I.
Lupus. 2016 May. pii: 0961203316651747. Review. PMID: 27225212.
8) Pathogenic role of platelets in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic
autoimmune diseases. Perspectives and therapeutic aspects.
Harifi G, Sibilia J.
Saudi Med J. 2016 Apr;37(4):354A60. doi: 10.15537/smj.2016.4.14768.
9) IgG4-Related Disorders and endocrine diseases. A review of the
literature. Bashier AM. Harifi G. Abdelgadir EI.
J Diabetes Metab 2015 ; 6:632.doi: 10.4172/2155-6156.1000631.
10) Prevalence of Chronic Pain with Neuropathic Characteristics in the
Moroccan General Population: A National Survey.
Harifi G, Amine M, Ait Ouazar M, Boujemaoui A, Ouilki I, Rekkab I,
Belkhou A, El Bouchti I, Niamane R, El Hassani S.
Pain Med. 2013 Feb 13 ;14(2):287A92. doi: 10.1111/pme.12009. Epub
2012 Dec 13
11) Prostaglandin transporter mutations cause pachydermoperiostosis
with myelofibrosis.
Diggle CP, Parry DA, Logan CV, Laissue P, Rivera C, Restrepo CM,
Fonseca DJ, Morgan JE, Allanore Y, Fontenay M, Wipff J, Varret M,
Gibault L, Dalantaeva N, Korbonits M, Zhou B, Yuan G, Harifi G, Cefle K,
Palanduz S, Akoglu H, Zwijnenburg PJ, Lichtenbelt KD, AubryARozier B,
SupertiAFurga A, Dallapiccola B, Accadia M, Brancati F, Sheridan EG,
Taylor GR, Carr IM, Johnson CA, Markham AF, Bonthron DT.
Hum Mutat. 2012 Aug;33(8):1175A81. doi: 10.1002/humu.22111. Epub
2012 May 29.
12) Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy: A new family supporting
genetic heterogeneity.
Harifi G, Brancati F, Dallapicola B, El Hassani S.
Joint Bone Spine. 2011 Mar;78(2):218-9. doi:
10.1016/j.jbspin.2010.08.012.
13) Validity and Reliability of the Arabic Adapted Version of the DN4
Questionnaire (Douleur Neuropathique 4 Questions) for Differential
Diagnosis of Pain Syndromes with a Neuropathic or Somatic
Component.
Harifi G, Ouilki I, El Bouchti I, Ait Ouazar M, Belkhou A, Younsi R, Amine
M, Tazi I, Abouqal R, Niamane R, El Hassani S.
Pain Pract. 2011 ;11(2):139-47. doi: 10.1111/j.1533-2500.2010.00399.x
14) De nouvelles cibles cytokiniques dans la polyarthrite rhumatoide : le
tocilizumab et les autres inhibiteurs des cytokines
Harifi G , Chatelus E, Sordet C, Gottenberg JAE, Sibilia J.
Revue du rhumatisme, 77 (2010) S32AS40
15) Spinal Cord Injury complicating Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Harifi G. Laghmari M. Lmejjati M. Ghannane H. Ait Benali S. El Hassani S.
African Journal Of Neurological Sciences AJNS 2010. Vol 29,No1.
16) Comparison of the calcium intake during and before Ramadan in
Marrakesh, Morocco.
Harifi G, Amine M, Ouazar MA, Ouilki I, Belkhou A, El Bouchti I, Younsi R,
Ahid S, Abouqal R, El Hassani S.
East Mediterr Health J. 2010 Apr;16(4):414A9
17) A novel homozygous splice site mutation in the HPGD gene causes
mild primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy.
Sinibaldi L, Harifi G, Bottillo I, Iannicelli M, El Hassani S, Brancati F,
Dallapiccola B.
Clin Exp Rheumatol. 2010 Mar-Apr;28(2):153A7.
18) Evaluation of the calcium intake in population of Marrakesh and its
region: 1000 cases
Ait Ouazar M, Amine M, Harifi G, Ouilki I, Younsi R, Belkhou A, El Bouchti
I, El Hassani S.
Ann Endocrinol (Paris). 2010 Feb;71(1):51A5. Epub 2010 Jan 25.
French. PMID: 20092809
19) C1-C2 spondylodiscitis in an adult with SAPHO syndrome: an unusual
presentation.
Harifi G, Belkhou A, El Bouchti I, Ouali Idrissi M, Chérif Idrissi N,
Ousehal A, El Hassani S.
Rheumatol Int. 2012 Feb;32(2):445-7. doi: 10.1007/s00296-009-1274-z.
20) Trigeminal neuralgia revealing neurosyphilis
Harifi G, Louhab N, Kissani N.
Rev Neurol (Paris). 2009 Nov;165(11):988A90. Epub 2009 Jul 9. French.
PMID: 19592059
21) Medullary compression by Burkitt lymphoma in an adult.
Harifi G, Chérif Idrissi N, Ousehal A, Ait Ben Ali S, Belaabidia B, El Hassani
S.
Presse Med. 2009 Apr 20. 2009 Nov; 38(11):1698-700. doi:
10.1016/j.lpm.2009.01.020. French
22) Severe pulmonary contusion after extracorporeal shock wave
lithotripsy Samkaoui MA, Ziadi A, Harifi G, El Adib AR, Younous S.
Ann Fr Anesth Reanim. 2009 Mar;28(3):246A8. Epub 2009 Mar 17.
French.
23) Primary Gougerot Sjögren syndrome and Behçet disease: association
or coincidence?
Harifi G, Habib Allah M, Younsi R, El Hassani S.
Presse Med. 2009 Sep;38(9):e15A6. Epub 2009 Mar 9.
24) Primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy in an adolescent
Harifi G, Younsi R, Ouilki I, Belkhou A, El Hassani S.
Rev Med Interne. 2008 Apr;29(4):335A

Memberships and affiliations

  1. UAE representative in the APLAR (Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology) Young Rheumatologists Initiative:
    – Chairperson for Educational affairs 2018-2020
    – Vice –President 2020-Present

  2. Member of the APLAR (Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology) educational committee
  3. Member of the APLAR (Asia Pacific League of Associations for Rheumatology)
  4. Member of the EULAR (European League for Associations Against Rheumatism)
  5. Member of the Emirates Society of Rheumatology(ESR)
  6. Member of the Emirates Rheumatology Academy (ERA)
  7. Member of the Middle Arthritis Foundation (MEAF)
  8. Member of the Moroccan Society of Rheumatology(Morocco)
  9. Member of the French Society of Rheumatology (France)

Teaching and Medical education

  • Speaker and co-organizer at the EULAR endorsed, Emirates Rheumatology Academy Intermediate course of musculoskeletal Ultrasound , October 2022
  • Speaker and co-organizer at the Emirates Rheumatology Academy Online Basic course of musculoskeletal Ultrasound , July 2022
  • Speaker at the Ultrasound workshop, member of the scientific committee and moderator of plenary sessions during the Annual Emirates Society of Rheumatology meeting, Dubai, May 2022 and May 2023
  • Co-organizer and Speaker at the Enthesitis summit organized by the Emirates Rheumatology Academy , Dubai , November 2021
  • Speaker at the Ultrasound workshop, member of the scientific committee and moderator of plenary sessions during the Annual Emirates Society of Rheumatology meeting, Dubai, May 2021
  • Lead organizer and co-chair of the Young Rheumatologists Annual symposium, during the APLAR 2020 meeting, online conference, August 2020
  • Speaker at the Ultrasound workshop on crystal induced arthropathies during the Annual Emirates Society of Rheumatology meeting, Dubai, February 2020
  • Lead organizer and co-chair of the Young Rheumatologists preceptorship in APLAR 2019, Brisbane, Australia
  • Co-organizer and chair of the scientific committee in the First Enthesitis summit organized by the Emirates Rheumatology Academy (ERA), in partnership with the International Information System on Occupational Exposure in Medicine ,industry and Research (ISEMIR) , 25-26 September 2019
  • Main speaker and tutor in the Ultrasound course for beginners in the CMC Vellore Medical conference on March 23-24 , Vellore, India , March 2018
  • Lead Organizer of the US guided injections Course during the ESR Imaging Summit on February 9-10th 2018 In Dubai. (Course Director, faculty and Tutor)
  • Co-chair of the EULAR endorsed basic course of Musculoskeletal ultrasonography in the APLAR 2017, Dubai
  • Co-Organizer of the Ultrasound Intermediate level workshop during the ISEMIR /ESR imaging meeting on February 25th, 2017. (Faculty and Tutor)
  • Speaker at the ArLAR (Arab League Against Rheumatism) pre-conference MSUS course, 22-23 February 2018, Muscat, Oman
  • Lead organizer of Ultrasound workshops (Basicand Intermediate level) during the PanArab Conference, January 14-17,2014 in Dubai (Workshop director, speaker and tutor)
  • Co-organizer of Ultrasound workshops (Intermediate level) during the PanArab Conference, March 24-26, 2016 in Marrakech (Workshop co-director, speaker and tutor)
  • Lead organizer of the MSK Ultrasound course in the 2nd ESR conference , October 2016
  • Lecturer at the Rheumatology Practice Symposium organized by ALZAIDI Chair Of Research In Rheumatic Diseases. Annual Conference organized for the Rheumatology Residents and fellows in Saudi Arabia and UAE.
  • Weekly teaching sessions for Interns and Medical students of Dubai Medical
    College, 2012-2016
  • MKSAP Rheumatology course : Organization of a rheumatology course as a
    MKSAP tutor for Residents and Interns of Internal Medicine and Rheumatology
    within DHA, March-May 2013 (Sponsored by Pfizer)
  • Leader of the Targeted Initiative Ultrasound (TUI) in UAE as an Ambassador of
    this International initiative and lead organizer of many workshops to promote
    the use of ultrasound in rheumatology practice:
    – TUI Meeting on US reporting guidelines, February 6th 2016
    – TUI / UAE meeting with an US workshop, May 14th 2015
    – TUI / UAE first meeting, January 22nd 2015

Dr. Ghita in the news