Research Interests

My research interests are in medication utilisation and medication safety in vulnerable populations, especially those not usually included in phase III clinical trials. I also undertake research into epidemiology of autoimmune diseases and occurrence of serious outcomes. I am a statistician and develop statistical models for these research projects. Most of the research that I do uses anonymised primary care records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD).

Medication use and safety in pregnancy

This research group has considerable experience in carrying out medication utilisation and safety studies in pregnant women using CPRD data. We have our own algorithm to identify pregnancies and outcomes that has been developed and refined over many years. We have used this to evaluate the prescribing and safety of medications for epilepsy, diabetes, high cholesterol, depression and asthma during pregnancy.

Medication use and safety in older people

Older people, especially those with many comorbidities, do not participate in clinical trials therefore being able to use the CPRD to investigate disease occurrence, prescribing and medication safety gives considerable insight into the health of these populations especially very frail or the oldest patients. Areas of interest include dementia, rheumatoid diseases, cerebrovascular disease and diabetes.

Epidemiology of autoimmune diseases

Current work includes evaluating incidence, prevalence and outcomes associated with systemic sclerosis to try to better understand prognosis of this disease and its effects. As a rare disease, work is being undertaken to evaluate different statistical models to use in evaluating time to event models that incorporate both incident and prevalent cases of disease and outcomes.