Web Links

http://www.abdn.ac.uk/iahs/

Research Interests

• Health services research in reproductive health
• Epidemiology of reproductive health
• Systematic reviews
• Randomised trials

Current Research

My main research interests include epidemiology of infertility and reproductive loss, evaluation of clinical and cost effectiveness of interventions and delivery of care in reproductive medicine. In addition to infertility, my clinical areas of interest include early pregnancy loss, caesarean section heavy menstrual bleeding, pelvic pain and endometriosis.

To date my research has involved a programme of interlinked projects funded by Wellcome Trust, the Chief Scientist Office Scotland, Medical Research Council and National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) UK. My projects have included studies on the prevalence and reproductive outcomes in women with infertility and early pregnancy loss, systematic (Cochrane) reviews, individual patient data meta-analysis, multi-centre randomised controlled trials and studies on the cost effectiveness of interventions in infertility and heavy menstrual bleeding.

In addition I have joint projects with laboratory based research colleagues in reproductive biology, nutrition and genetics on a number of themes including the impact of environmental toxicants on reproductive function and epigenetic changes in assisted reproduction. I remain committed to translational research and am exploring ways of facilitating interaction between laboratory and population health researchers based in the Institutes of applied Medicine and Applied Health Sciences respectively.

Collaborations

I lead  collaborate extensively with trialists, epidemiologists and Health Economists nationally as well as internatonally. In recent months I have been in discussion with senior researchers and opinion leaders from a number of countries to set up INREM - an International Reproductive Medicine Research Network - a global consortium which will create opportunities for collaborative research .

Research Grants

  Selected Grants

1. Recurrence of Endometriosis: a randomised controlled trial of clinical and cost-effectiveness of Gonadotrophin Releasing Hormone Analogues with add-back hormone replacement therapy versus repeat Laparoscopic surgery (REGAL) Saraswat L, Bhattacharya S, Cooper K, MacLennan G, Horne A, Gillies K, McCormack K, Scotland G, Becker C, Saridogan E, Clark TJ, Jones G, Cox E, Vyas S. NIHR HTA 2019-23 £1,711,82.           
2. Letrozole or Clomifene, with or without metformin, for ovulation induction in women with polycysticovary syndrome: a 2x2 factorial design randomised trial (The LOCI trial) Coomarasamy A, Sunkara S, Gallos I, Devall A, Middleton L, Roberts T, Arlt W, Thangaratinam S, Nelson S, Anderson R, Mathur R, Drakely, Cheong Y, Choudhary M, Balen A, Homburg R, Maheshwari A, Jayaprakasan K, Amer S, Raine Fenning N, Pundir J, Metwally M, Potdar N, Tan B, Webber L, Franks S, Bhattacharya S, Feeney A, Stewart J. NIHR HTA (2019-22). £2,136,177 (2019 -22)
3. Effects and Safety of Testosterone in Men with Low Testosterone levels: an evidence synthesis andeconomic evaluation. The TESTES (Testosterone Effects and Safety) Consortium. Jayasena C, Bhattacharya S, Gillies K, Hernandez R, Aucott L, Quinton R, Wu F, Oliver N, Dhillo W. NIHR HTA (2018-20) £508,66
4. Surgery for women with endometrioma prior to IVF- Assessing the feasibility of a multicentre randomised trial in UK (SEND) Maheshwari A, Bhattacharya S, Cooper K, Saraswat L, Horner, Gillies K, Breeman S, Burns GNHS Grampian R & D Pump priming Grant (2018-19) £24,99
5.  Perinatal outcomes of singletons born following in-vitro fertilisation: a comparison of different embryo transfer strategies using UK data. Mclernon D, Bhattacharya S, Maheshwari A, Raja EA. NHS Grampian Endowments. (2018-19) £10,071
6.  A population-based matching study to estimate the benefit of in-vitro fertilisation (IVF) for infertility McLernon D, van Geloven N, van Eekelen R & Bhattacharya S Tenovus Scotland (2017-18) £11,438
7. Environmental determinants of IVF treatment T Clemens, R Docherty, Christopher Dibben, S Stock, S Bhattacharya. NERC/ MRC/ CSO (2016-17) £51,390
8. Is a combination of methotrexate and gefitinib more effective than methotrexate alone as a treatment for ectopic pregnancy? – a randomised placebo controlled trial (GEM3) AW Horne, S Tong, WC Duncan, J Daniels, A Coomaraswamy, L Middleton, A Peace-Gadsby, T Bourne, D Jurkovic, S Bhattacharya, C Bottomley. National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Efficacy and mechanism programme (EME) (2016-19) £999,811
9. A multi-centre randomised controlled trial of the efficacy and mechanism of action of gabapentin for the management of chronic pelvic pain in women.  Horne A, Daniels J, Vincent K, Cheong Y, Middleton L, Collett B, Bhattacharya S, Khan K, Tracey I, Williams A, Baronowski A, Birch J.  National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Efficacy and mechanism programme (EME) Programme. £1,425,969.  
10. Ulipristal acetate versus conventional management of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB: including uterine fibroids): a randomised controlled trial and exploration of mechanism of action (UCON trial). Critchley H, Bhattacharya S, Clark J, Daniels J, Middleton L et al.   National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Efficacy and mechanism programme (EME) (2014-18)£1,584,094.40

11.  A multicentre randomised controlled trial comparing laparoscopic supra-cervical hysterectomy with second generation endometrial ablation for the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (HEALTH).  Bhattacharya S (Co CI), Cooper K (Co CI), Clark J, Hawe J, Phillips K, Hawthorne R, Norrie J, Cook J, Scotland G, McCormack K.  National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme (2014-17) £1,307,643.20

12. Improving intrapartum outcomes for mothers and babies in Scotland: a stepped wedge randomised trial of an intrapartum emergencies training package in 12 Scottish Maternity Units Bhattacharya S, Draycott T, Winter C, Fox, R, Siasskos D, Lenguarrand E, Lynch P, Cameron A, Crofts J, Norrie J, MacLennan G, McCormack K, McDonald A, McPherson G  Chief Scientist Office Scotland (2013-16) £200,045
13. Preventing recurrence of endometriosis by means of long acting progestogen therapy; (PreEmPT).  Bhattacharya S, Daniels J, Gupta J, Clark J, Cooper K, Horne A, Critchley H, Sarotigan E, Prentice A, Becker C, Jones G, Denny E., Whittal C.  National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme (2013-18) £1,837,557.
14. Selection of sperm for assisted reproductive treatment by prior hyaluronic acid binding: increasing live birth outcomes and reducing miscarriage rates (Hyaluronic Assisted Binding Sperm Selection; HABSelect). Miller D, Pavitt S, Coomarasamy A, Pacey AA, Bhattacharya S, Brison D, Lewis S, Hooper R, Edwards L, West R, Khalaf Y, Sebatani L.   NIHR efficacy and mechanism evaluation (EME) programme (2012-16) £1,427,328
15. Development and validation of prognostic models for subfertility.  CSOPost doctoral Fellowship.  Awarded to Dr David. McLernon. Supervisors: Lee A, Bhattacharya S.  Chief Scientist Office Scotland (2013-16) £ 172,515
16. Long term health of women diagnosed with endometriosis: a Scottish record linkage study. Bhattacharya S, Cooper K, Horne A, Bhattacharya S, Saraswat L. Ayansina D. Chief Scientist Office Scotland (2012-14) £117,758
17. Mode of delivery after caesarean section: An investigation of offspring risks and factors influencing women's attitudes towards delivery options. Wellcome Trust Research Training Fellowship awarded to Dr Mairead Black. Supervisors: Allan J, Gillies K, McLernon D. Bhattacharya S.  Wellcome Trust (2013-15) £220,774

18. A Pilot Randomised controlled Trial of the Efficacy and Mechanism of Action of Gabapentin for the Management of Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women. Horne A, Bhattacharya S, Critchley H, Lewis S, Pernet C, Wilson J, Wu O, Porter M, Jack S.  Chief Scientist Office Scotland (2012-14) £209,284

19. The epidemiology of chronic pelvic pain in women MacFarlane GJ, Jones G, Bhattacharya S. Mildred B Clulow Research Grant British Pain Society (2012-14) £49,318 

External Responsibilities

PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES and MEMBERSHIP OF COMMITTEES

Local:

• Member, Aberdeen Maternity Neonatal Databank Steering Committee (2002-18)
• Member, Aberdeen Fertility Database Committee (2008-18)
• Member, North of Scotland Research Ethics Service (NOSRES) (2002 -12 )
• Chair, North of Scotland Research Ethics Service (NOSRES) Committee 1 (2010 - 12)
• Member, Student Progress Committee (School of Medicine & Dentistry) University of Aberdeen (current)

National:

• Chair: Reproductive Medicine Clinical Studies Group (RCOG) within the National Reproductive Health Research Network UK (2009-14)
• Deputy Chair: Reproductive Health and Childbirth Specialty Group UK (2009-14)
• Specialty Lead for Reproductive Health and Childbirth (Scotland) (2009-14)
• NRS Clinical Research Champion for Reproductive Health and Childbirth (2015- )
• Member, Health Services and Population Health Research Committee, Chief Scientist Office Scotland (2006-12) 
• Member Panel for Chief Scientist Office Scotland Clinical Academic Fellowships (2013-)
• Member, College of Experts, Medical Research Council (2006-09)
• National Panellist for Consultant appointments in Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2006-09)
• Member, Academic Committee, Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists (2007-10)
• Member, Guideline Development Group NICE Fertility Guideline Update (2010-12)
• External examiner MB ChB University of Southampton (2014-)
• Clinical Adviser to Scottish Medicines Consortium (2014- )
• Chair, Trial Steering Committee, Promise Trial (NIHR).  CI: Dr R Rai, Imperial College, London
• Chair, Trial Steering Committee, EMPOWaR Trial (NIHR).  CI: Prof J Norman, University of Edinburgh
• Chair, Trial Steering Committee FEMME Trial.   CI: Prof. Klim McPherson, University of Oxford
• Chair Data Monitoring Committee ANODE trial (NIHR HTA) CI: Prof Marion Knight, University of Oxford

International:

• Co-Chair, International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO) Reproductive Medicine Committee (2009 - 15)
• Chair International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (FIGO) Reproductive Medicine Committee (2014 - 15)
• Member, Standards and Practice Committee for the International Federation of Fertility Societies
IFFS (2007 - 16)
• Member: European IVF Monitoring Committee Board (European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology) (ESHRE) (2007 - )
• Member: European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) Task force on Infertility and Society (2011 -13 )
• Quality Control (Auditor) for FIVNAT (on behalf of Swiss Society for Reproductive Medicine) (2010 – 12)

JOURNAL EDITORSHIPS

• Editor in Chief Human Reproduction Open (2016-)
• Editor: The Obstetrician and Gynaecologist (2003-5)
• Editor: Cochrane  Gynaecology and Infertility  (2004 - )
• Associate Editor Human Reproduction Update (2011 - 15)
• Academic Editor PLOS ONE (2014 - 16)
• Member, Elsevier IFFS - Updates in Infertility Treatment Resource Centre Editorial Board (2013 - )
• International Adviser/Reviewer on Editorial Board of Journal of Fertility Science and Research (Indian Fertility Society) (2014 - )
• Scientific Editor:  BJOG: an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (2003-5)

Publications 

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