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.
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
- 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.
- 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
Centre for Applied Excellence in Skin and Allergy Research
Principal Investigator
Description
CAESAR has been established to improve the diagnosis and treatment of common skin and allergy problems in primary careManaging organisational unit
Bristol Medical School (PHS)Dates
01/12/2023 to 30/11/2028
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
Dates
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 to 31/03/2022
Publications
Selected publications
10/11/2025Weekly versus daily bathing for people with eczema
British Journal of Dermatology
Supporting 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
Recent publications
03/02/2026Consultations, prescribed topical treatments and disease severity in children with eczema in primary care
Clinical and Experimental Dermatology
ELYFANT Study Protocol
Clinical and Experimental Allergy
Safety-netting communication during telephone consultations
British Journal of General Practice
Topical treatment use and under-use in childhood eczema
British Journal of General Practice Open
Awareness of and adherence to advice on early introduction of food allergens
Awareness of and adherence to advice on early introduction of food allergens
Thesis
Related people
Dr Raquel Granell
Senior Research Associate in Medical Statistics
Bristol Medical School (PHS)
Professor Alastair Hay
Professor of Primary Care
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