PhD Studentship funded by Kidney Research UK - London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate for a PhD studentship funded by Kidney Research UK:
Clinical management of those with pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) focuses on prevention of cardiovascular outcomes.[1] However, the association of CKD with increased mortality is not only driven by cardiovascular deaths, but also by non-cardiovascular deaths.[2] Recent studies show that CKD is associated with a higher risk of bloodstream infections[3] and severe pneumonia,[4] but there are limited data on the epidemiology of infections in CKD patients.[5] Amongst CKD patients those who have diabetes are at particularly high risk of infections. The aim of this project is to describe the burden of infections in older people with diabetes and CKD, risk factors and outcomes of these infections. The project will use large linked UK datasets of hospital, general practice and mortality records.
Supervisors: Dr Dorothea Nitsch and Dr Sara Thomas
References:
1. Chronic Kidney Disease: Early identification and management of chronic kidney disease in adults in primary and secondary care. NICE, 2008.
2. Di Angelantonio E, Chowdhury R, Sarwar N, et al. Chronic kidney disease and risk of major cardiovascular disease and non-vascular mortality: prospective population based cohort study. BMJ 2010;341:c4986.
3. James MT, Laupland KB, Tonelli M, et al. Risk of bloodstream infection in patients with chronic kidney disease not treated with dialysis. Arch Intern Med 2008;168(21):2333-9.
4. James MT, Quan H, Tonelli M, et al. CKD and risk of hospitalization and death with pneumonia. Am J Kidney Dis 2009;54(1):24-32.
5. Dalrymple LS, Go AS. Epidemiology of acute infections among patients with chronic kidney disease. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol 2008;3(5):1487-93.
Essential criteria
1. A masters degree in epidemiology with very good grades (students currently undertaking an MSc may also apply - the award would be conditional on achieving good grades)
2. Evidence of very good quantitative skills
3. Excellent writing skills
4. Interest in the epidemiology of infectious diseases in older people with diabetes mellitus in the United Kingdom.
Desirable criteria
1. Proven ability to manage very large data sets using STATA and a meticulous approach
2. Experience in working with UK population-based data on infectious diseases
Eligibility
The studentship will start on 1st September 2011 and is funded for 3 years. UK-level fees will be paid in addition to an annual stipend of £15,740. The studentship is only available to UK residents.
How to apply
For more information on how to apply, please see http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/prospectus/funding/kruk.html in the first instance.
Deadline for applications
Monday 13 June 2011.
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