Research

The Group has two main programmes of applied epidemiological research plus an interest in methodological research across programmes.

Musculoskeletal Epidemiology

The overall aim of this research programme is to examine the epidemiology and management of (chronic) musculoskeletal pain conditions. The programme has four main elements:

  • Lifecourse influences on chronic pain;
  • Biological pathways linking the psychosocial environment and pain reporting (including genetics);
  • Musculoskeletal health –   incorporating randomised clinical trials and reviews of evidence, with respect to management of musculoskeletal pain and / or other rheumatological conditions.
  • Studies of the safety and efficacy of biologic therapy for Ankylosing Spondylitis. We host the British Society for Rheumatology Register in Ankylosing Spondylitis (BSRBR-AS) and the Scotland and Ireland Register for Ankylosing Spondylitis (SIRAS).
  • Other studies – including studies of fibromyalgia, vasculitis and rural health.

For more information on this programme, please contact Dr Gareth Jones (gareth.jones@abdn.ac.uk).


Reproductive Health

This work programme is centred around the Aberdeen Maternity and Neonatal Databank (www.abdn.ac.uk/amnd), a database collecting information on all pregnancy and childbirth related events occurring in Aberdeen from 1950 to the present. It offers several opportunities to link with other databases as well as within the same database in order to study:

  • The risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes in different pregnancies occurring in the same women;
  • The influence of reproductive factors on future health of women;
  • The effect of intrauterine and early life factors on the health and development of the offspring; and
  • The effects of maternal reproductive performance on that of their daughters.

For more information on this programme please contact Dr Sohinee Bhattacharya (sohinee.bhattacharya@abdn.ac.uk).


Methodology research theme

Across the other themes we seek opportunities to undertake methodological research. The focus of this work includes, but is not limited to:

  • Undertaking studies to determine how to optimise participation in population-based epidemiological studies;
  • Developing instruments to collect information on phenotype across different types of response media;
  • Investigating alternative strategies for recruiting population-based controls in terms of participation and the characteristics of persons who participate; and
  • Amongst person who do participate, investigating alternative strategies for dealing with missing data.

For more information on this programme please contact Professor Macfarlane (g.j.macfarlane@abdn.ac.uk)  

 

 

Intensive Course in Applied Epidemiology
Aberdeen 5-9th March 2012



Epidemiology Contact

Nabi Moaven
Polwarth Building (1:020)
Foresterhill
Aberdeen
AB25 2ZD

tel: +44 (0)1224 437137
fax: +44 (0)1224 437285
email: epidemiology@abdn.ac.uk