Comorbidity of cardiovascular disease in osteoarthritis using GPRD
Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre
(RPCH 2008-06)
- available from October 2008
The Arthritis Research Campaign National Primary Care Centre, at Keele has a large and dynamic research programme in Pain and Osteoarthritis, underpinned by a wealth of cohort and trial data-sets, with linkage to medical records. The Centre includes a multidisciplinary grouping of clinicians working alongside epidemiologists, statisticians and social scientists, and our funding framework gives us a strong remit to increase research capacity by providing training opportunities and career support for early experience researchers.
The successful candidate would join a diverse and enthusiastic group of postgraduate research students. The Centre runs a programme of both internal and external seminars, as well as journal clubs and in-house training. As well as the University-wide research training programme, training will be provided in relevant techniques as required e.g. multilevel modelling.
People often suffer from more than one health problem at a time and comorbidity is the study of how multiple conditions influence a patient with a given disease such as osteoarthritis. This proposed study, funded by National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) grant, complements our current research by exploring further the occurrence, management, outcome and natural history of comorbid osteoarthritis and cardiovascular disease, as recorded in general practice consultations. Routine electronic recording of general practice consultations and drug information now offers an opportunity for investigating the precise relationships in the occurrence of comorbidity. The overall plan is to investigate whether cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a potential causal factor for the onset of osteoarthritis (OA) and whether the adverse impact of OA on future chronic morbidity and mortality is dependent on the severity of comorbid CVD.
The studentship will specifically concern the organisation of the morbidity and drug data using primary care consultation data, and investigate the influence of cardiovascular disease on the onset of osteoarthritis, and the interaction with other risks factors and comorbidity. This project will also contribute to knowledge by developing aetiological relationships in the occurrence of comorbidity. It is envisaged that classical cohort analyses will be complemented by the development of new statistical methods for comorbidity comparisons. The use of morbidity and drug data will also include liaising with general practitioners and health professionals. The main dataset that will be used for this project will be the GPRD, a national source of longitudinal general practice and drug data. A separate database that links consultations and surveys is also available. The outcomes of this programme of work are intended to include: a literature review; papers reporting the substantive findings of the study; papers on statistical aspects of the analyses performed; and the clinical implications for chronic disease comorbidity in older populations. Supervision for the PhD would be provided by Dr Umesh Kadam and Professor Peter Croft.
Funding is available for three years to cover fees for PhD registration (2008/09 rates - home/EU rates: £3,350) and a research studentship stipend of currently £12,900 per annum for 2008. Non-EU students would be required to pay the balance (currently approximately £8,550 per annum) of the overseas fees themselves.
Applicants should have a good (2:1 or above) first degree in a health-related discipline, with experience of quantitative research methods. A Masters degree in a relevant discipline is highly desirable.
Further information
For an informal discussion or to arrange a visit to the Centre, please contact Dr Kadam on 01782 584710 / u.kadam@cphc.keele.ac.uk. See also: http://www.keele.ac.uk/gradschool/fundingkeele.htm
Application Process
In order to be considered for a studentship, an application form for PhD study must be completed ("Application Form Postgraduate Research Degrees") plus an additional "Application form for a studentship or bursary" indicating that you wish to apply for this studentship and detailing your suitability for the award - http://www.keele.ac.uk/gradschool/prospectus/
CLOSING DATE - Wednesday 11 June 2008
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