Respiratory Epidemiology

This group focuses on the aetiology and natural history of asthma/allergic disease, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis and hereditary telangiectasia and delivery of care for people with lung cancer, using e-health databases and collection of original data.

Much of the research is conducted alongside the Nottingham Respiratory Research Unit.

Major contributions to the evidence base include:

• Cross-sectional and cohort studies in developing countries exploring the role of parasites in asthma;
• Meta-analyses and the first RCTs of experimental hookworm infection in allergic disease;
• Evidence on the role of paracetamol on the risk of asthma and allergy;
• The effect of a pro-thrombotic state on the risk of developing idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis;
• Identification of factors associated with survival of cystic fibrosis patients;
• Exploration of biomarkers for predicting prognosis.

Work on lung cancer care pathways and variation in access to treatment has guided national service planning.

International collaborations

• Havana Asthma Birth Cohort