Professor Matthew Ridd
DE, PhD, FHEA, M.B.,Ch.B.(Birm.), D.R.C.O.G., MRCGP
Expertise
Applied research of common skin and allergy problems in primary care, especially pragmatic clinical trials
Current positions
Professor of Primary Health Care
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Contact
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Biography
I am a GP and Professor of Primary Health Care, with a research focus on common skin and allergy problems.
Between 2004-2019, I have held five successive personal awards (MRC Doctoral, NIHR Clinical Trials, NIHR Post-doctoral and Canadian Institute of Health Research Strategic Training Fellowships, NIHR Lectureship) and I am currently funded by an NIHR Research Professorship (2023-2028).
I completed my PhD in 2009 and since that time have led or collaborated on 32 projects, including 18 clinical trials. I am currently supervising 5 PhD students and one Clinical Academic Fellow.
In recognition of my contribution to the discipline of general practice through research and publishing, I was made a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and awarded the RCGP John Fry award in 2016.
Between 2004-2019, I have held five successive personal awards (MRC Doctoral, NIHR Clinical Trials, NIHR Post-doctoral and Canadian Institute of Health Research Strategic Training Fellowships, NIHR Lectureship) and I am currently funded by an NIHR Research Professorship (2023-2028).
I completed my PhD in 2009 and since that time have led or collaborated on 32 projects, including 18 clinical trials. I am currently supervising 5 PhD students and one Clinical Academic Fellow.
In recognition of my contribution to the discipline of general practice through research and publishing, I was made a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) and awarded the RCGP John Fry award in 2016.
Research interests
My research interests include skin and allergy problems diagnosed and managed in primary care, mainly focusing on childhood eczema
Current projects include:
- TOPIC (Transforming Outcomes for Paediatric allergy In primary Care): a programme of work to transform the treatment of eczema, and research into food allergy and its prevention, in children.
- TIGER (Trial of food allergy (IgE) tests for Eczema Relief): Pragmatic, primary care, multi-centre, individually randomised trial to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of test-guided dietary advice versus standard care, for the management of eczema.
- ATHENA (Amitriptyline for the prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia): multi-centre, individually randomised, pragmatic, placebo-controlled superiority trial to determine the clinical and cost effectiveness of prophylactic low-dose amitriptyline for the prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia.
- RAPID eczema trials: A project working with members of the public to prioritise, design and conduct high-quality online trials to test different ways of managing eczema.
- ACO (Acne Care Online): a programme of research to create and test an online toolkit to support young people effectively treat their acne.
- DEXACELL (Dexamethasone as an adjunctive therapy for the management of cellulitis)
- CORAL (The effectiveness and cost effectiveness of coenzyme Q10 in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction): a pragmatic, patient-centred, data-enabled trial in primary care.
- RAPID-TEST: Rapid respiratory microbiological point-of-care-testing in primary care: a randomised controlled trial with internal pilot and qualitative and quantitative investigation of microbial, behavioural and antibiotic mechanisms.
- Talking in Primary Care 2: Testing the effects of communication skills e-learning for practitioners on patients’ musculoskeletal pain and enablement.
Examples of recently completed research are:
- BEE (Best Emollients for Eczema): Pragmatic, primary care, multi-centre, individually randomised superiority trial of four emollients in children with eczema
- TEST (Trial of Eczema allergy Screening Tests): feasibility randomised controlled trial with economic scoping and nested qualitative study
- Eczema Care Online (ECO): Supporting self-care for eczema in the community
- Spironolactone for Adult Female Acne (SAFA): pragmatic multicentre double-blind randomised superiority trial to investigate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of spironolactone for moderate or severe persistent acne in women
- ATLANTIS (Amitriptyline at low-dose and titrated for irritable bowel syndrome as second-line treatment): a double-blind placebo-controlled trial
- TRIUMPH (TReating Urinary symptoms in Men in Primary Healthcare using non-pharmaceutical and non-surgical interventions)
- Surgical interventions to treat severe pressure sores (SiPS)
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
TOPIC: Transforming Outcomes for Paediatric allergy In primary Care
Principal Investigator
Description
TOPIC is an NIHR-funded study that aims to transform the treatment of eczema, and research into food allergy and its prevention, in children.
It will be looking at:
- The best way…Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/04/2024 to 31/01/2026
Paediatric QoL Dilemma: Developing Paediatric Quality of Life Digital Ecological Momentary Assessment to improve paediatric research and clinical management
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Department of Electrical & Electronic EngineeringDates
31/01/2022
Creative and novel approaches to engaging with children with eczema and their parents
Role
Co-Investigator
Managing organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
07/08/2019 to 30/09/2020
Maximising Wellbeing Living Everyday Life with Long-term conditions
Role
Co-Principal Investigator
Description
Developing and evaluating a care and support planning intervention for people with multimorbidity in primary careManaging organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/01/2019
Publications
Selected publications
30/03/2025Supporting self-care for eczema in the community
Programme Grants for Applied Research
Food Allergy Test-Guided Dietary Advice for Children With Atopic Dermatitis
Pediatric Dermatology
Low-dose titrated amitriptyline as second-line treatment for adults with irritable bowel syndrome in primary care: the ATLANTIS RCT
Health Technology Assessment
Amitriptyline for the prevention of post-herpetic neuralgia
Skin Health and Disease
Recent publications
16/04/2025Co-producing a randomized controlled trial on the frequency of bathing in eczema
Skin Health and Disease
Identifying children who develop severe chronic kidney disease using primary care records
PLoS ONE
Improving the diagnostic accuracy of referrals for papilloedema (DIPP) study
BMJ Open
Management of hidradenitis suppurativa in UK primary care
BJGP Open
Patient perceptions of primary care rapid respiratory microbiological point-of-care-testing
BMJ Open
Thesis
Related people
Professor Alastair Hay
Professor of Primary Care
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Dr Jodi Taylor
Director of Operations, Bristol Trials Centre
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Professor Athene Lane
Professor of Trials Research
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Dr Stephanie MacNeill
Associate Professor in Medical Statistics
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Professor Lucy Yardley
Professor
School of Psychological Science