Research projects

We work across a number of projects within Population Health Sciences and Clinical Sciences.

Antiretroviral Therapy cohort collaboration

The research carried out by the ART Cohort Collaboration is focussed on patients who are receiving antiretroviral therapy.

Best Emollients for Eczema (BEE)

The BEE research question is: “Which is the best type of moisturiser to prescribe for treating the symptoms of childhood eczema – a lotion, cream, gel or ointment?” The results were published in two academic papers (trial and qualitative findings and a final report.

Best-BRA

The Best-BRA study will test whether subpectoral or pre-pectoral implant placement improves women’s satisfaction with the outcome of their breast reconstruction following a mastectomy.

Boyd Orr Cohort study

An historical cohort study on the long term impact of children’s diet, growth, living conditions and health on adult cardiovascular disease. The study is now looked after by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU) at the University of Bristol as part of our Legacy cohorts work.

Bristol IVF study (BRIST-IVF)

The aim of the BRIST-IVF study is to better understand the factors that influence IVF success.

Caerphilly Prospective study (CAPS)

Set up by the former MRC Epidemiology Unit South Wales to study cardiovascular disease in the UK, the study is now looked after by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU) at the University of Bristol as part of our Legacy cohorts work.

Centre for Research Synthesis and Decision Analysis Projects

Bristol Appraisal and Review of Research (BARR) group

The Bristol Appraisal and Review of Research (BARR) group have an interest in the methodology and application of research synthesis methods such as systematic reviews, meta-analysis and critical assessment of research evidence. BARR is part of the Bristol Evidence synthesis, Appraisal and Modelling (BEAM) Centre.

Multi-parameter Evidence Synthesis Research Group

Multi-Parameter Evidence Synthesis (MPES) is a generalization of meta-analysis, broadened and extended so that it can combine not only evidence from different sources and different research designs, but also evidence that informs different functions of parameters.

CHIEF-PD

The Cholinesterase Inhibitors to Prevent Falls in Parkinson’s (CHIEF-PD) Trial is a medical research trial examining whether drugs normally used to treat people with memory problems can be used to reduce the number of falls that people with Parkinson’s experience.

Christ's Hospital School study

A retrospective cohort study that comprises former male students of Christ’s Hospital (CH) born between 1927 and 1956, the study is now looked after by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU) at the University of Bristol as part of our Legacy cohorts work.

Cluster Randomised Trial of PSA Testing for Prostate Cancer (CAP)

The CAP Trial set out to find out if inviting men aged 50-69 for a single prostate specific antigen (PSA) test would help detect high risk cancers earlier and if treating these cancers earlier would mean that men would live longer. Those invited to have a one-off PSA test and who were diagnosed with localised prostate cancer took part in a treatment trial called ProtecT.

CON-QUEST: Contact patterns and behaviour in University of Bristol staff and students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Researchers at the University of Bristol conducted a longitudinal survey from June 2020 to March 2022 to investigate contact patterns, COVID-19-like symptoms, and changes in behaviour for University of Bristol staff and students.

EPIToPe

EPIToPe aims to generate UK empirical evidence on the effectiveness of HCV 'Treatment as Prevention' in people who inject drugs.

Glasgow Students Study

A study of a cohort of 15,993 students at the University of Glasgow (approximately 50% of the student population) who completed a health questionnaire and attended a clinic with the University’s medical service between 1948 and 1972. The study is now looked after by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU) at the University of Bristol as part of our Legacy cohorts work.

H4RT Trial

End stage kidney disease affects around 65,000 people in the UK. Almost half of these people will have blood cleaning treatment known as haemodialysis at a hospital. Our research aims to establish the effectiveness of haemodialysis versus haemodiafiltration in the treatment of kidney disease.

IMPPP (Improving Medicines use in People with Polypharmacy in Primary Care)

The UK population is steadily ageing and people often have more than one health problem. This means more people are taking multiple medicines, which is called polypharmacy. We are developing a new approach (called IMPPP) to improve how we manage polypharmacy.

NAP SACC UK (Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care)

Evaluating the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of an environmental nutrition and physical activity intervention in nurseries.

Optimising Staff-Patient Communication in Advanced Renal Disease (OSCAR)

This study looks at how kidney clinicians engage with and support older people with advanced kidney disease who are choosing whether to have dialysis or comprehensive conservative care if their disease progresses.

Prepare for Kidney Care Trial

Funded by the NHS, this study aims to help older people with kidney disease make the right decision for them when their kidney function is getting very low.

Promotion of Breastfeeding Intervention Trial (PROBIT IV)

The largest cluster-randomised controlled trial ever conducted in the area of human lactation during infancy. This trial provides a unique opportunity to test, in an intention to treat analysis, the affects of breastfeeding on health outcomes.

Prostate Testing for Cancer and Treatment (ProtecT)

Prostate cancer is a serious health problem with 35,000 new cases every year in the UK, and around 10,000 deaths. The ProtecT study, taking place in nine parts of the UK, aims to find the best ways of treating prostate cancer.

PURSUIT (Proper Understanding of Recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence Treatment in women)

The PURSUIT study will help us to identify whether ‘surgical operations’ (of colposuspension, autologus urethral sling, or artificial urinary sphincter) or ‘endoscopic bulking injections’ are better for improving symptoms and quality of life for women with this condition.

Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews (ROBIS)

ROBIS is a new tool for assessing the risk of bias in systematic reviews (rather than in primary studies).

Speedwell study

Set up as a prospective cohort study to look at the determinants of cardiovascular disease, though over time other phenotypes of interest have been added. The study is now looked after by the MRC Integrative Epidemiology Unit (MRC IEU) at the University of Bristol as part of our Legacy cohorts work.

Strategies to reduce the burden of Antibiotic Resistance in China (STAR CHINA)

China is estimated to be the second largest consumer of antibiotics in the world. This cross-institutional research and capacity-building research and training programme is designed to support the reduction of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in China.

Suicide Prevention

The overall aim of our research is to provide new evidence to help prevent suicide and improve the care of people who self-harm.

Tackling the Root causes Upstream of Unhealthy Urban Development (TRUUD)

Over a 5-year period, this project will research two major city/city regions’ urban planning and development systems with a view to embedding the prevention of risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and health inequalities in decision-making on planning.

3D study: Improving whole person care

People with multimorbidity are more likely to experience poor physical and mental health, and a poor quality of life. The trial evaluated a patient-centred intervention, the 3D approach, to improve how GP practices manage and care for patients with multimorbidity.

TRIUMPH (TReating Urinary symptoms in Men in Primary Healthcare)

The study will test whether patients who receive advice based on a nurse’s assessment of their specific urinary symptoms improves the patients control of his symptoms compared with the usual care offered by GPs.

UPSTREAM trial

When referred to hospital, men with bothersome lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are assessed with a set of standard assessments (tests). UPSTREAM set out to see whether including an extra assessment called “urodynamics” helps when considering treatment options.