![Timothy Pickles BSc, MSc, PhD](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/3628?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Timothy Pickles
(he/him)
BSc, MSc, PhD
- Media commentator
- Available for postgraduate supervision
Teams and roles for Timothy Pickles
Research Fellow in Statistics
Overview
Research Themes
I work in the Centre for Trials Research (CTR) at Cardiff University as a Research Fellow in Statistics. I was granted a Health and Care Research Wales NIHR Doctoral Fellowship in 2019 to complete a PhD on psychometrics, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), Rasch measurement theory and computer adaptive test in the field of Rheumatoid Arthritis Disease Activity. I was supervised by Professor Ernest Choy (Cardiff University), Dr Mike Horton (University of Leeds), Dr Karl Bang Christensen (University of Copenhagen), Dr Rhiannon Phillips (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Dr David Gillespie (Cardiff University).
I have a Health and Care Research Wales Next Steps Award to continue the research from my PhD, which is called the PLAN-HERACLES study.
I have previously held posts in the Cardiff Regional Experimental Arthritis Treatment and Evaluation (CREATE) Centre and had a secondment in the School of Dentistry, which as well as research, involved teaching statistics and SPSS to BDS students, and providing statistical support to MOrth and PhD students.
Until 2019, my work in CTR principally involved being the statistician on multiple and differing clinical trials, across many varied disciplines. I have developed an interest in diabetes, urinary tract infections, rheumatology and skin conditions, as well as dental caries from my previous work in the School of Dentistry. The interventions I have focussed on are behaviour change counselling, shared decision making tools and devices/aids for appropriate antibiotic prescribing.
In my role within the CREATE centre, I was researching the use of early phase clinical trial methodology in the field of rheumatology. I had already begun looking into techniques to explore the psychometric properties of various Quality of Life Instruments, and I was fortunate to spend my MSc dissertation learning about, and undertaking, Rasch analyses, which is a continuing research theme.
Following a successful application, I joined the 2019 cohort of the GW4 Crucible on Digital Innovation and received seedcorn funding for the GW4-PATH study.
I hold a BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences from the University of Bath, an MSc (distinction) in Operational Research and Applied Statistics from Cardiff University and a PhD in Medicine from Cardiff University.
Further links:
SOCRATES study: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/centre-for-trials-research/research/studies-and-trials/view/socrates
SOCRATES study: https://healthandcareresearchwales.org/researchers/our-funded-projects/patient-reported-outcome-measures-rheumatoid-arthritis-symptom
PLAN-HERACLES study: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/centre-for-trials-research/research/studies-and-trials/view/plan-heracles
SOCRATES and PLAN-HERACLES NRAS page: https://nras.org.uk/resource/socrates_plan-heracles/
CTR Blogs: https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/centre-for-trials-research/author/wpptep/
Health and Care Research Wales Faculty Profile: https://healthandcareresearchwales.org/pickles
GW4-PATH: https://gw4.ac.uk/gw4-crucible-seed-projects-2019/
GW4 blog: https://gw4.ac.uk/experience-of-gw4-crucible-from-trepidation-to-triumph/
publons: https://publons.com/author/1193132/timothy-pickles#profile
Publication
2025
- Griffiths, C., Pickles, T., Guest, E. and Harcourt, D. 2025. The validation of the ‘CARe Burn Scale: Parent/Caregiver Form’—A patient reported outcome measure (PROM) using Rasch measurement theory (RMT) to assess quality of life for parents or caregivers supporting a child with a burn injury. European Burn Journal 6(2), article number: 22. (10.3390/ebj6020022)
- Pickles, T. and Ingram, J. R. 2025. Minimal important difference of pain numeric rating scale in patients with Hidradenitis suppurativa: results from THESEUS. British Journal of Dermatology 192(4), pp. 761-763., article number: ljae486. (10.1093/bjd/ljae486)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2025. Patient reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: Rasch measurement theory to identify items and domains. Rheumatology, article number: keaf189. (10.1093/rheumatology/keaf189)
2024
- Pattinson, R., Trialonis-Suthakaran, N., Pickles, T., Austin, J., FitzGerald, A., Augustin, M. and Bundy, C. 2024. Measurement properties and interpretability of the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure. British Journal of Dermatology 191, pp. 936-948. (10.1093/bjd/ljae267)
- Pattinson, R., Trialonis-Suthakharan, N., Pickles, T., Austin, J., FitzGerald, A., Augustin, M. and Bundy, E. 2024. Further refinement of the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure using classical test theory and item response theory. British Journal of Dermatology 190(5), pp. 718-728., article number: ljad487. (10.1093/bjd/ljad487)
- Chapman, L. S. et al. 2024. Evolving and evaluating the OMERACT fellows program: insights and implications from OMERACT 2023 fellows. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 65, article number: 152391. (10.1016/j.semarthrit.2024.152391)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2024. Exploring the complexities of pain phenotypes: OMERACT 2023 chronic pain working group workshop. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 64, article number: 152342. (10.1016/j.semarthrit.2023.152342)
- Pickles, T. 2024. Patient-reported Outcome Measures for Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom Severity: development of a computer adaptive test from an item bank using Rasch measurement theory (SOCRATES). PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
2023
- Bisson, J. et al. 2023. Pragmatic randomised controlled trial of guided self-help versus individual cognitive behavioural therapy with a trauma focus for post-traumatic stress disorder (RAPID). Health Technology Assessment 27, article number: 26. (10.3310/YTQW8336)
- Pickles, T., Horton, M., Christensen, K. B., Phillips, R., Gillespie, D., Mo, N. and Choy, E. 2023. P035 Patient-reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: using Rasch measurement theory to achieve more meaningful measurement. Rheumatology 62(Supp 2) (10.1093/rheumatology/kead104.076)
- Withers, K. et al. 2023. Proceedings of the 6th National Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Annual UK Research Virtual Conference, Bridgend, Wales 2022. Quality of Life Research 32, pp. 1-21. (10.1007/s11136-023-03353-w)
- Sauchelli, S. et al. 2023. Public attitudes towards the use of novel technologies in their future healthcare: a UK survey. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 23, article number: 38. (10.1186/s12911-023-02118-2)
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. The ASSISTANCE STUDY: Moral distress and psychological wellbeing of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented at: Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference, Manchester University, 6-8 September 2023.
- Pickles, T., Horton, M., Christensen, K. B., Phillips, R., Gillespie, D., Mo, N. and Choy, E. 2023. Patient reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: using Rasch measurement theory and cognitive interviewing to achieve more meaningful measurement. Presented at: ACR Convergence 2023, San Diego, 10-15 November 2023, Vol. 75. Vol. Supp 9.
2022
- Lau, T. M. M., Lowe, J., Pickles, T., Hood, K., Kotecha, S. and Gillespie, D. 2022. AZTEC—azithromycin therapy for prevention of chronic lung disease of prematurity: a statistical analysis plan for clinical outcomes. Trials 23(1), article number: 704. (10.1186/s13063-022-06604-2)
- Bisson, J. I. et al. 2022. Guided, internet based, cognitive behavioural therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial (RAPID). BMJ 377, article number: e069405. (10.1136/bmj-2021-069405)
- Abbott, R. A. et al. 2022. Observational study to estimate the proportion of surgical site infection following excision of ulcerated skin tumours (OASIS study). Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 47(5), pp. 882-888. (10.1111/ced.15037)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2022. P089 Patient-reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: a systematic review following COSMIN guidelines. Presented at: British Society for Rheumatology Annual Conference 2022, Glasgow, Scotland, 25-27 April 2022Rheumatology Supplement 1, Vol. 61. pp. keac133.088., (10.1093/rheumatology/keac133.088)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2022. Patient reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: a systematic review following COSMIN guidelines. RMD Open 8(1), article number: e002093. (10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002093)
- Griffiths, C., Tollow, P., Cox, D., White, P., Pickles, T. and Harcourt, D. 2022. The CARe Burn Scale—Adult Form: Identifying the responsiveness and minimal important difference (MID) values of a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) to assess quality of life for adults with a burn injury. European Burn Journal 3(1), pp. 211-233. (10.3390/ebj3010019)
- Joshi, H. B. et al. 2022. Urinary stones and intervention quality of life (USIQoL): development and validation of a new core universal patient-reported outcome measure for urinary calculi. European Urology Focus 8(1), pp. 283-290. (10.1016/j.euf.2020.12.011)
- Pickering, D., Pickles, T. and Shiress, T. 2022. A study protocol to develop the domains of an observational well-being scale (WEBS) for non-verbal children and young people with cerebral palsy from using the Innowalk.. Presented at: National Patient Reported Outcome Measures, Online, 14 - 15 June 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Addressing moral distress among nurses after the COVID-19 emergency: The ASSISTANCE study. Presented at: Canopi Synposium, Cardiff University, May 2022.
2021
- Griffiths, C., Tollow, P., Cox, D., White, P., Pickles, T. and Harcourt, D. 2021. Testing the responsiveness of and defining minimal important difference (MID) values for the CARe burn scales: patient-reported outcome measures to assess quality of life for children and young people affected by burn injuries, and their parents/caregivers. European Burn Journal 2(4), pp. 249-280. (10.3390/ebj2040019)
- Pattinson, R. L. et al. 2021. Patient-reported outcome measures in dermatology: a systematic review. Acta Dermato-Venereologica 101(9), article number: adv00559. (10.2340/00015555-3884)
- McCarroll, Z., Townson, J., Pickles, T., Gregory, J. W., Playle, R., Robling, M. and Hughes, D. 2021. Cost-effectiveness of home versus hospital management of children at onset of Type 1 Diabetes: The DECIDE randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 11(5), article number: e043523. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043523)
- Bartlett, R., Acton, J., Ryan, B., Man, R., Pickles, T. and Nollett, C. 2021. Training results in increased practitioner confidence and identification of depression in people with low vision: a mixed methods study. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 41(2), pp. 316-330. (10.1111/opo.12788)
- Griffiths, C., Guest, E., Pickles, T., Hollèn, L., Grzeda, M., Tollow, P. and Harcourt, D. 2021. The development and validation of the CARe Burn Scale: Child Form: a parent-proxy-reported outcome measure assessing quality of life for children aged 8 years and under living with a burn injury. Quality of Life Research 30, pp. 239-250. (10.1007/s11136-020-02627-x)
2020
- Lowe, J. et al. 2020. Study protocol: azithromycin therapy for chronic lung disease of prematurity (AZTEC) - a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin for the prevention of chronic lung disease of prematurity in preterm infants. BMJ Open 10(10), article number: e041528. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041528)
- Stampalija, T. et al. 2020. Fetal cerebral Doppler changes and outcome in late preterm fetal growth restriction: prospective cohort study. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 56(2), pp. 173-181. (10.1002/uog.22125)
- Bisson, J. I. et al. 2020. Randomised controlled trial of multi-modular motion-assisted memory desensitization and reconsolidation (3MDR) for male military veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 142(2), pp. 141-151. (10.1111/acps.13200)
- Nollett, C., Bartlett, R., Man, R., Pickles, T., Ryan, B. and Acton, J. H. 2020. Barriers to integrating routine depression screening into community low vision rehabilitation services: a mixed methods study. BMC Psychiatry 20, pp. 419. (10.1186/s12888-020-02805-8)
2019
- Nollett, C., Bartlett, R., Man, R., Pickles, T., Ryan, B. and Acton, J. H. 2019. How do community-based eye care practitioners approach depression in patients with low vision? A mixed methods study. BMC Psychiatry 19(1), article number: 426. (10.1186/s12888-019-2387-x)
- Gregory, J. W. et al. 2019. Effectiveness of home or hospital initiation of treatment at diagnosis for children with type 1 diabetes (DECIDE trial): a multicentre individually randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 9, article number: e032317. (10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032317)
- Bosanquet, D. et al. 2019. Perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation trial (PLACEMENT): results from a randomised controlled feasibility trial. BMJ Open 9(11), article number: e029233. (10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029233)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2019. Adaptive trial designs in rheumatology: Report from the OMERACT Special Interest Group. Journal of Rheumatology 46(10), pp. 1406-1408., article number: jrheum.181054. (10.3899/jrheum.181054)
- Griffiths, C. et al. 2019. The development and validation of the CARe Burn Scale - Adult Form: a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) to assess quality of life for adults living with a burn injury. Journal of Burn Care and Research 40(36), pp. 312-326. (10.1093/jbcr/irz021)
- Morgan-Trimmer, S. et al. 2019. The acceptability of fluoride varnish and fissure sealant treatments in children aged 6-9 delivered in a school setting. Community Dental Health 36(1), pp. 33-38. (10.1922/CDH_4263Morgan-Trimmer06)
2018
- Cooksey, R. et al. 2018. Cardiovascular risk factors predicting cardiac events are different in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 48(3), pp. 367-373. (10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.03.005)
- Bosanquet, D. C. et al. 2018. Major lower limb amputation audit – introduction and implementation of a multimodal perioperative pain management guideline. British Journal of Pain 12(4), pp. 257-258. (10.1177/2049463718800736)
- Pickles, T., Christensen, R., Tam, L., Simon, L. S. and Choy, E. H. 2018. Early phase and adaptive design clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review of early phase trials. Rheumatology Advances in Practice 2(2), article number: rky045. (10.1093/rap/rky045)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2018. Point-of-care urine culture for managing urinary tract infection in primary care: a randomised controlled trial of clinical and cost-effectiveness. British Journal of General Practice 68(669), pp. e268-e278. (10.3399/bjgp18X695285)
- Nollett, C. et al. 2018. Pragmatic RAndomised controlled trial of a trauma-focused guided self-help Programme versus InDividual trauma-focused cognitive Behavioural therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (RAPID): trial protocol. BMC Psychiatry 18(1), article number: 77. (10.1186/s12888-018-1665-3)
- Ingram, J. et al. 2018. Levels of wound calprotectin and other inflammatory biomarkers aid in deciding which patients with a diabetic foot ulcer need antibiotic therapy (INDUCE study). Diabetic Medicine 35(2), pp. 255-261. (10.1111/dme.13431)
- Alhaidari, T. et al. 2018. Feasibility and acceptability of text messaging to support antenatal healthcare in Iraqi pregnant women: a pilot study. Journal of Perinatal Medicine 46(1), pp. 67-74. (10.1515/jpm-2016-0127)
2017
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2017. Variations in presentation, management, and patient outcomes of urinary tract infection: a prospective four-country primary care observational cohort study. British Journal of General Practice 67(665), pp. e830-e841. (10.3399/bjgp17X693641)
- Bosanquet, D. C. et al. 2017. Perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation trial (PLACEMENT): study protocol for a randomised controlled pilot study. Trials 18, article number: 629. (10.1186/s13063-017-2357-x)
- White, J. et al. 2017. Adaptation of the ASSIST peer-led smoking intervention to deliver information from the Talk to FRANK drug education website (ASSIST+FRANK): a pilot cluster-randomised controlled trial. The Lancet 390(S3), pp. S1. (10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32936-7)
- White, J. et al. 2017. Adapting the ASSIST model of informal peer-led intervention delivery to the Talk to FRANK drug prevention programme in UK secondary schools (ASSIST?+FRANK): intervention development, refinement and a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. Public Health Research 5(7), pp. 1-126. (10.3310/phr05070)
- Hullegie, S. et al. 2017. Clinicians' interpretations of point of care urine culture versus laboratory culture results: analysis from the four-country POETIC trial of diagnosis of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in primary care. Family Practice 34(4), pp. 392-399. (10.1093/fampra/cmx009)
- Chestnutt, I. G. et al. 2017. Fissure seal or fluoride varnish? A randomised trial of their relative effectiveness. Journal of Dental Research 96(7), pp. 754-761. (10.1177/0022034517702094)
- Chestnutt, I. G. et al. 2017. Seal or Varnish? A randomised controlled trial to determine the relative cost and effectiveness of pit and fissure sealant and fluoride varnish in preventing dental decay. Health Technology Assessment 21(21), pp. 1-256. (10.3310/hta21210)
- Chalumeau, M. et al. 2017. Comparison of microbiological diagnosis of urinary tract infection in young children by routine health service laboratories and a research laboratory: diagnostic cohort study. PLoS ONE 12(2), article number: e0171113. (10.1371/journal.pone.0171113)
2016
- Hay, A. D. et al. 2016. Improving the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection in young children in primary care: results from the DUTY prospective diagnostic cohort study. Annals of Family Medicine 14(4), pp. 325-336. (10.1370/afm.1954)
- Hay, A. D. et al. 2016. The Diagnosis of Urinary Tract infection in Young children (DUTY): a diagnostic prospective observational study to derive and validate a clinical algorithm for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in children presenting to primary care with an acute illness. Health Technology Assessment 20(51) (10.3310/hta20510)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2016. Nappy pad urine samples for investigation and treatment of UTI in young children: the 'DUTY' prospective diagnostic cohort study. British Journal of General Practice 66(648), pp. e516-e524. (10.3399/bjgp16X685873)
- Elwyn, G. et al. 2016. Supporting shared decision making using an Option Grid for osteoarthritis of the knee in an interface musculoskeletal clinic: a stepped wedge trial. Patient Education and Counseling 99(4), pp. 571-577. (10.1016/j.pec.2015.10.011)
- Atwan, A., Ingram, J. R., Abbott, R., Kelson, M. J., Pickles, T. E., Bauer, A. and Piguet, V. 2016. Oral fumaric acid esters for psoriasis: abridged Cochrane systematic review including GRADE assessments. British Journal of Dermatology 175(5), pp. 873-881. (10.1111/bjd.14676)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2016. Empiric antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infection in preschool children: susceptibilities of urine sample isolates. Family Practice 33(2), pp. 127-132. (10.1093/fampra/cmv104)
2015
- Randell, E., Pickles, T., Simpson, S. A., Spanou, C., McCambridge, J., Hood, K. and Butler, C. C. 2015. Eligibility for interventions, co-occurrence and risk factors for unhealthy behaviours in patients consulting for routine primary care: results from the Pre-Empt study. BMC Family Practice 16, article number: 133. (10.1186/s12875-015-0359-x)
- Gobat, N. H., Kinnersley, P., Gregory, J. W., Pickles, T. E., Hood, K. and Robling, M. R. 2015. Measuring clinical skills in agenda-mapping (EAGL-I). Patient Education and Counseling 98(10), pp. 1214-1221. (10.1016/j.pec.2015.06.018)
- Al Ali, A. et al. 2015. The influence of snoring, mouth breathing and apnoea on facial morphology in late childhood: a three-dimensional study. BMJ Open 5(9), article number: e009027. (10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009027)
- Atwan, A., Ingram, J., Abbott, R., Kelson, M., Pickles, T., Bauer, A. and Piguet, V. 2015. Oral fumaric acid esters for psoriasis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(8), article number: CD010497. (10.1002/14651858.CD010497.pub2)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2015. Childhood urinary tract infection in primary care: a prospective observational study of prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. British Journal of General Practice 65(633), pp. e217-e223. (10.3399/bjgp15X684361)
2014
- Bates, J. et al. 2014. Point of care testing for urinary tract infection in primary care (POETIC): protocol for a randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost effectiveness of FLEXICULT (TM) informed management of uncomplicated UTI in primary care. BMC Family Practice 15, pp. -., article number: 187. (10.1186/s12875-014-0187-4)
- Al Ali, A. et al. 2014. A three-dimensional analysis of the effect of atopy on face shape. European Journal of Orthodontics 36(5), pp. 506-511. (10.1093/ejo/cjs107)
- Haddad, N. S. et al. 2014. A feasibility study of mobile phone text messaging to support education and management of type 2 diabetes in Iraq. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics 16(7), pp. 454-459. (10.1089/dia.2013.0272)
- Lowes, L. M. et al. 2014. Late-breaking abstract. [LB1 Delivering early care in diabetes evaluation: the DECIDE Study. Hospital versus home management at diagnosis in childhood diabetes: a comparison of psychological, social, physical and economic outcomes]. Diabetic Medicine 31(s1), pp. 184. (10.1111/dme.12408)
- Lowes, L. M. et al. 2014. Delivering early care in diabetes evaluation: the DECIDE study. Hospital versus home management at diagnosis in childhood diabetes: a comparison of psychological, social, physical and economic outcomes. Presented at: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2014, Liverpool, UK, 5-7 March 2014.
- Marrin, K. et al. 2014. Option Grids to facilitate shared decision making for patients with Osteoarthritis of the knee: protocol for a single site, efficacy trial. BMC Health Services Research 14, article number: 160. (10.1186/1472-6963-14-160)
2013
- Bates, J. et al. 2013. Effects of an optimised POCT guided diagnostic and treatment strategy for symptoms of uncomplicated UTI on use of appropriate antibiotics and uptake into primary care practice. [Abstract]. Trials 14(S1), pp. -., article number: P10. (10.1186/1745-6215-14-S1-P10)
- Pickles, T., Playle, R., Hood, K., Gillard, J. and Robling, M. 2013. Rasch analysis of the PedsQL 3.0 diabetes module. [Abstract]. Trials 14(S1), article number: 40. (10.1186/1745-6215-14-S1-O40)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2013. Training practitioners to deliver opportunistic multiple behaviour change counselling in primary care: a cluster randomised trial. BMJ 346, article number: f1191. (10.1136/bmj.f1191)
- Edwards, A. G., Naik, G., Ahmed, H., Elwyn, G., Pickles, T. E., Hood, K. and Playle, R. A. 2013. Personalised risk communication for informed decision making about taking screening tests. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013(2), article number: CD001865. (10.1002/14651858.CD001865.pub3)
- Waldron, C. et al. 2013. Recruitment to diagnosis of urinary tract infections in young children (DUTY) study: an evaluation of the successful methods used in a primary care, prospective cohort study. [Abstract]. Trials 14(S1), pp. -., article number: P37. (10.1186/1745-6215-14-S1-P37)
2012
- Chestnutt, I. G. et al. 2012. Protocol for 'Seal or Varnish' (SoV) trial: A randomised controlled trial to measure the relative cost and effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnish in preventing dental decay. BMC Oral Health 12(1), pp. 51-62. (10.1186/1472-6831-12-51)
- Robling, M. R. et al. 2012. The effect of the Talking Diabetes consulting skills intervention on glycaemic control and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised controlled trial (DEPICTED study). British Medical Journal 344, article number: e2359. (10.1136/bmj.e2359)
2011
- Gregory, J. W. et al. 2011. Development and evaluation by a cluster randomised trial of a psychosocial intervention in children and teenagers experiencing diabetes: The DEPICTED study. Health Technology Assessment 15(29), pp. 1-202. (10.3310/hta15290)
2010
- Spanou, C. et al. 2010. Preventing disease through opportunistic, rapid engagement by primary care teams using behaviour change counselling (PRE-EMPT): protocol for a general practice-based cluster randomised trial. BMC Family Practice 11(1), pp. 69. (10.1186/1471-2296-11-69)
Articles
- Griffiths, C., Pickles, T., Guest, E. and Harcourt, D. 2025. The validation of the ‘CARe Burn Scale: Parent/Caregiver Form’—A patient reported outcome measure (PROM) using Rasch measurement theory (RMT) to assess quality of life for parents or caregivers supporting a child with a burn injury. European Burn Journal 6(2), article number: 22. (10.3390/ebj6020022)
- Pickles, T. and Ingram, J. R. 2025. Minimal important difference of pain numeric rating scale in patients with Hidradenitis suppurativa: results from THESEUS. British Journal of Dermatology 192(4), pp. 761-763., article number: ljae486. (10.1093/bjd/ljae486)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2025. Patient reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: Rasch measurement theory to identify items and domains. Rheumatology, article number: keaf189. (10.1093/rheumatology/keaf189)
- Pattinson, R., Trialonis-Suthakaran, N., Pickles, T., Austin, J., FitzGerald, A., Augustin, M. and Bundy, C. 2024. Measurement properties and interpretability of the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure. British Journal of Dermatology 191, pp. 936-948. (10.1093/bjd/ljae267)
- Pattinson, R., Trialonis-Suthakharan, N., Pickles, T., Austin, J., FitzGerald, A., Augustin, M. and Bundy, E. 2024. Further refinement of the Patient-Reported Impact of Dermatological Diseases (PRIDD) measure using classical test theory and item response theory. British Journal of Dermatology 190(5), pp. 718-728., article number: ljad487. (10.1093/bjd/ljad487)
- Chapman, L. S. et al. 2024. Evolving and evaluating the OMERACT fellows program: insights and implications from OMERACT 2023 fellows. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 65, article number: 152391. (10.1016/j.semarthrit.2024.152391)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2024. Exploring the complexities of pain phenotypes: OMERACT 2023 chronic pain working group workshop. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 64, article number: 152342. (10.1016/j.semarthrit.2023.152342)
- Bisson, J. et al. 2023. Pragmatic randomised controlled trial of guided self-help versus individual cognitive behavioural therapy with a trauma focus for post-traumatic stress disorder (RAPID). Health Technology Assessment 27, article number: 26. (10.3310/YTQW8336)
- Pickles, T., Horton, M., Christensen, K. B., Phillips, R., Gillespie, D., Mo, N. and Choy, E. 2023. P035 Patient-reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: using Rasch measurement theory to achieve more meaningful measurement. Rheumatology 62(Supp 2) (10.1093/rheumatology/kead104.076)
- Withers, K. et al. 2023. Proceedings of the 6th National Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) Annual UK Research Virtual Conference, Bridgend, Wales 2022. Quality of Life Research 32, pp. 1-21. (10.1007/s11136-023-03353-w)
- Sauchelli, S. et al. 2023. Public attitudes towards the use of novel technologies in their future healthcare: a UK survey. BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making 23, article number: 38. (10.1186/s12911-023-02118-2)
- Lau, T. M. M., Lowe, J., Pickles, T., Hood, K., Kotecha, S. and Gillespie, D. 2022. AZTEC—azithromycin therapy for prevention of chronic lung disease of prematurity: a statistical analysis plan for clinical outcomes. Trials 23(1), article number: 704. (10.1186/s13063-022-06604-2)
- Bisson, J. I. et al. 2022. Guided, internet based, cognitive behavioural therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: pragmatic, multicentre, randomised controlled non-inferiority trial (RAPID). BMJ 377, article number: e069405. (10.1136/bmj-2021-069405)
- Abbott, R. A. et al. 2022. Observational study to estimate the proportion of surgical site infection following excision of ulcerated skin tumours (OASIS study). Clinical and Experimental Dermatology 47(5), pp. 882-888. (10.1111/ced.15037)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2022. Patient reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: a systematic review following COSMIN guidelines. RMD Open 8(1), article number: e002093. (10.1136/rmdopen-2021-002093)
- Griffiths, C., Tollow, P., Cox, D., White, P., Pickles, T. and Harcourt, D. 2022. The CARe Burn Scale—Adult Form: Identifying the responsiveness and minimal important difference (MID) values of a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) to assess quality of life for adults with a burn injury. European Burn Journal 3(1), pp. 211-233. (10.3390/ebj3010019)
- Joshi, H. B. et al. 2022. Urinary stones and intervention quality of life (USIQoL): development and validation of a new core universal patient-reported outcome measure for urinary calculi. European Urology Focus 8(1), pp. 283-290. (10.1016/j.euf.2020.12.011)
- Griffiths, C., Tollow, P., Cox, D., White, P., Pickles, T. and Harcourt, D. 2021. Testing the responsiveness of and defining minimal important difference (MID) values for the CARe burn scales: patient-reported outcome measures to assess quality of life for children and young people affected by burn injuries, and their parents/caregivers. European Burn Journal 2(4), pp. 249-280. (10.3390/ebj2040019)
- Pattinson, R. L. et al. 2021. Patient-reported outcome measures in dermatology: a systematic review. Acta Dermato-Venereologica 101(9), article number: adv00559. (10.2340/00015555-3884)
- McCarroll, Z., Townson, J., Pickles, T., Gregory, J. W., Playle, R., Robling, M. and Hughes, D. 2021. Cost-effectiveness of home versus hospital management of children at onset of Type 1 Diabetes: The DECIDE randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 11(5), article number: e043523. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-043523)
- Bartlett, R., Acton, J., Ryan, B., Man, R., Pickles, T. and Nollett, C. 2021. Training results in increased practitioner confidence and identification of depression in people with low vision: a mixed methods study. Ophthalmic and Physiological Optics 41(2), pp. 316-330. (10.1111/opo.12788)
- Griffiths, C., Guest, E., Pickles, T., Hollèn, L., Grzeda, M., Tollow, P. and Harcourt, D. 2021. The development and validation of the CARe Burn Scale: Child Form: a parent-proxy-reported outcome measure assessing quality of life for children aged 8 years and under living with a burn injury. Quality of Life Research 30, pp. 239-250. (10.1007/s11136-020-02627-x)
- Lowe, J. et al. 2020. Study protocol: azithromycin therapy for chronic lung disease of prematurity (AZTEC) - a randomised, placebo-controlled trial of azithromycin for the prevention of chronic lung disease of prematurity in preterm infants. BMJ Open 10(10), article number: e041528. (10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041528)
- Stampalija, T. et al. 2020. Fetal cerebral Doppler changes and outcome in late preterm fetal growth restriction: prospective cohort study. Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology 56(2), pp. 173-181. (10.1002/uog.22125)
- Bisson, J. I. et al. 2020. Randomised controlled trial of multi-modular motion-assisted memory desensitization and reconsolidation (3MDR) for male military veterans with treatment-resistant post-traumatic stress disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica 142(2), pp. 141-151. (10.1111/acps.13200)
- Nollett, C., Bartlett, R., Man, R., Pickles, T., Ryan, B. and Acton, J. H. 2020. Barriers to integrating routine depression screening into community low vision rehabilitation services: a mixed methods study. BMC Psychiatry 20, pp. 419. (10.1186/s12888-020-02805-8)
- Nollett, C., Bartlett, R., Man, R., Pickles, T., Ryan, B. and Acton, J. H. 2019. How do community-based eye care practitioners approach depression in patients with low vision? A mixed methods study. BMC Psychiatry 19(1), article number: 426. (10.1186/s12888-019-2387-x)
- Gregory, J. W. et al. 2019. Effectiveness of home or hospital initiation of treatment at diagnosis for children with type 1 diabetes (DECIDE trial): a multicentre individually randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open 9, article number: e032317. (10.1136/bmjopen-2019-032317)
- Bosanquet, D. et al. 2019. Perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation trial (PLACEMENT): results from a randomised controlled feasibility trial. BMJ Open 9(11), article number: e029233. (10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029233)
- Pickles, T. et al. 2019. Adaptive trial designs in rheumatology: Report from the OMERACT Special Interest Group. Journal of Rheumatology 46(10), pp. 1406-1408., article number: jrheum.181054. (10.3899/jrheum.181054)
- Griffiths, C. et al. 2019. The development and validation of the CARe Burn Scale - Adult Form: a Patient Reported Outcome Measure (PROM) to assess quality of life for adults living with a burn injury. Journal of Burn Care and Research 40(36), pp. 312-326. (10.1093/jbcr/irz021)
- Morgan-Trimmer, S. et al. 2019. The acceptability of fluoride varnish and fissure sealant treatments in children aged 6-9 delivered in a school setting. Community Dental Health 36(1), pp. 33-38. (10.1922/CDH_4263Morgan-Trimmer06)
- Cooksey, R. et al. 2018. Cardiovascular risk factors predicting cardiac events are different in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and psoriasis. Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism 48(3), pp. 367-373. (10.1016/j.semarthrit.2018.03.005)
- Bosanquet, D. C. et al. 2018. Major lower limb amputation audit – introduction and implementation of a multimodal perioperative pain management guideline. British Journal of Pain 12(4), pp. 257-258. (10.1177/2049463718800736)
- Pickles, T., Christensen, R., Tam, L., Simon, L. S. and Choy, E. H. 2018. Early phase and adaptive design clinical trials in rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review of early phase trials. Rheumatology Advances in Practice 2(2), article number: rky045. (10.1093/rap/rky045)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2018. Point-of-care urine culture for managing urinary tract infection in primary care: a randomised controlled trial of clinical and cost-effectiveness. British Journal of General Practice 68(669), pp. e268-e278. (10.3399/bjgp18X695285)
- Nollett, C. et al. 2018. Pragmatic RAndomised controlled trial of a trauma-focused guided self-help Programme versus InDividual trauma-focused cognitive Behavioural therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder (RAPID): trial protocol. BMC Psychiatry 18(1), article number: 77. (10.1186/s12888-018-1665-3)
- Ingram, J. et al. 2018. Levels of wound calprotectin and other inflammatory biomarkers aid in deciding which patients with a diabetic foot ulcer need antibiotic therapy (INDUCE study). Diabetic Medicine 35(2), pp. 255-261. (10.1111/dme.13431)
- Alhaidari, T. et al. 2018. Feasibility and acceptability of text messaging to support antenatal healthcare in Iraqi pregnant women: a pilot study. Journal of Perinatal Medicine 46(1), pp. 67-74. (10.1515/jpm-2016-0127)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2017. Variations in presentation, management, and patient outcomes of urinary tract infection: a prospective four-country primary care observational cohort study. British Journal of General Practice 67(665), pp. e830-e841. (10.3399/bjgp17X693641)
- Bosanquet, D. C. et al. 2017. Perineural local anaesthetic catheter after major lower limb amputation trial (PLACEMENT): study protocol for a randomised controlled pilot study. Trials 18, article number: 629. (10.1186/s13063-017-2357-x)
- White, J. et al. 2017. Adaptation of the ASSIST peer-led smoking intervention to deliver information from the Talk to FRANK drug education website (ASSIST+FRANK): a pilot cluster-randomised controlled trial. The Lancet 390(S3), pp. S1. (10.1016/S0140-6736(17)32936-7)
- White, J. et al. 2017. Adapting the ASSIST model of informal peer-led intervention delivery to the Talk to FRANK drug prevention programme in UK secondary schools (ASSIST?+FRANK): intervention development, refinement and a pilot cluster randomised controlled trial. Public Health Research 5(7), pp. 1-126. (10.3310/phr05070)
- Hullegie, S. et al. 2017. Clinicians' interpretations of point of care urine culture versus laboratory culture results: analysis from the four-country POETIC trial of diagnosis of uncomplicated urinary tract infection in primary care. Family Practice 34(4), pp. 392-399. (10.1093/fampra/cmx009)
- Chestnutt, I. G. et al. 2017. Fissure seal or fluoride varnish? A randomised trial of their relative effectiveness. Journal of Dental Research 96(7), pp. 754-761. (10.1177/0022034517702094)
- Chestnutt, I. G. et al. 2017. Seal or Varnish? A randomised controlled trial to determine the relative cost and effectiveness of pit and fissure sealant and fluoride varnish in preventing dental decay. Health Technology Assessment 21(21), pp. 1-256. (10.3310/hta21210)
- Chalumeau, M. et al. 2017. Comparison of microbiological diagnosis of urinary tract infection in young children by routine health service laboratories and a research laboratory: diagnostic cohort study. PLoS ONE 12(2), article number: e0171113. (10.1371/journal.pone.0171113)
- Hay, A. D. et al. 2016. Improving the diagnosis and treatment of urinary tract infection in young children in primary care: results from the DUTY prospective diagnostic cohort study. Annals of Family Medicine 14(4), pp. 325-336. (10.1370/afm.1954)
- Hay, A. D. et al. 2016. The Diagnosis of Urinary Tract infection in Young children (DUTY): a diagnostic prospective observational study to derive and validate a clinical algorithm for the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in children presenting to primary care with an acute illness. Health Technology Assessment 20(51) (10.3310/hta20510)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2016. Nappy pad urine samples for investigation and treatment of UTI in young children: the 'DUTY' prospective diagnostic cohort study. British Journal of General Practice 66(648), pp. e516-e524. (10.3399/bjgp16X685873)
- Elwyn, G. et al. 2016. Supporting shared decision making using an Option Grid for osteoarthritis of the knee in an interface musculoskeletal clinic: a stepped wedge trial. Patient Education and Counseling 99(4), pp. 571-577. (10.1016/j.pec.2015.10.011)
- Atwan, A., Ingram, J. R., Abbott, R., Kelson, M. J., Pickles, T. E., Bauer, A. and Piguet, V. 2016. Oral fumaric acid esters for psoriasis: abridged Cochrane systematic review including GRADE assessments. British Journal of Dermatology 175(5), pp. 873-881. (10.1111/bjd.14676)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2016. Empiric antibiotic treatment for urinary tract infection in preschool children: susceptibilities of urine sample isolates. Family Practice 33(2), pp. 127-132. (10.1093/fampra/cmv104)
- Randell, E., Pickles, T., Simpson, S. A., Spanou, C., McCambridge, J., Hood, K. and Butler, C. C. 2015. Eligibility for interventions, co-occurrence and risk factors for unhealthy behaviours in patients consulting for routine primary care: results from the Pre-Empt study. BMC Family Practice 16, article number: 133. (10.1186/s12875-015-0359-x)
- Gobat, N. H., Kinnersley, P., Gregory, J. W., Pickles, T. E., Hood, K. and Robling, M. R. 2015. Measuring clinical skills in agenda-mapping (EAGL-I). Patient Education and Counseling 98(10), pp. 1214-1221. (10.1016/j.pec.2015.06.018)
- Al Ali, A. et al. 2015. The influence of snoring, mouth breathing and apnoea on facial morphology in late childhood: a three-dimensional study. BMJ Open 5(9), article number: e009027. (10.1136/bmjopen-2015-009027)
- Atwan, A., Ingram, J., Abbott, R., Kelson, M., Pickles, T., Bauer, A. and Piguet, V. 2015. Oral fumaric acid esters for psoriasis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews(8), article number: CD010497. (10.1002/14651858.CD010497.pub2)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2015. Childhood urinary tract infection in primary care: a prospective observational study of prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. British Journal of General Practice 65(633), pp. e217-e223. (10.3399/bjgp15X684361)
- Bates, J. et al. 2014. Point of care testing for urinary tract infection in primary care (POETIC): protocol for a randomised controlled trial of the clinical and cost effectiveness of FLEXICULT (TM) informed management of uncomplicated UTI in primary care. BMC Family Practice 15, pp. -., article number: 187. (10.1186/s12875-014-0187-4)
- Al Ali, A. et al. 2014. A three-dimensional analysis of the effect of atopy on face shape. European Journal of Orthodontics 36(5), pp. 506-511. (10.1093/ejo/cjs107)
- Haddad, N. S. et al. 2014. A feasibility study of mobile phone text messaging to support education and management of type 2 diabetes in Iraq. Diabetes Technology & Therapeutics 16(7), pp. 454-459. (10.1089/dia.2013.0272)
- Lowes, L. M. et al. 2014. Late-breaking abstract. [LB1 Delivering early care in diabetes evaluation: the DECIDE Study. Hospital versus home management at diagnosis in childhood diabetes: a comparison of psychological, social, physical and economic outcomes]. Diabetic Medicine 31(s1), pp. 184. (10.1111/dme.12408)
- Marrin, K. et al. 2014. Option Grids to facilitate shared decision making for patients with Osteoarthritis of the knee: protocol for a single site, efficacy trial. BMC Health Services Research 14, article number: 160. (10.1186/1472-6963-14-160)
- Bates, J. et al. 2013. Effects of an optimised POCT guided diagnostic and treatment strategy for symptoms of uncomplicated UTI on use of appropriate antibiotics and uptake into primary care practice. [Abstract]. Trials 14(S1), pp. -., article number: P10. (10.1186/1745-6215-14-S1-P10)
- Pickles, T., Playle, R., Hood, K., Gillard, J. and Robling, M. 2013. Rasch analysis of the PedsQL 3.0 diabetes module. [Abstract]. Trials 14(S1), article number: 40. (10.1186/1745-6215-14-S1-O40)
- Butler, C. C. et al. 2013. Training practitioners to deliver opportunistic multiple behaviour change counselling in primary care: a cluster randomised trial. BMJ 346, article number: f1191. (10.1136/bmj.f1191)
- Edwards, A. G., Naik, G., Ahmed, H., Elwyn, G., Pickles, T. E., Hood, K. and Playle, R. A. 2013. Personalised risk communication for informed decision making about taking screening tests. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2013(2), article number: CD001865. (10.1002/14651858.CD001865.pub3)
- Waldron, C. et al. 2013. Recruitment to diagnosis of urinary tract infections in young children (DUTY) study: an evaluation of the successful methods used in a primary care, prospective cohort study. [Abstract]. Trials 14(S1), pp. -., article number: P37. (10.1186/1745-6215-14-S1-P37)
- Chestnutt, I. G. et al. 2012. Protocol for 'Seal or Varnish' (SoV) trial: A randomised controlled trial to measure the relative cost and effectiveness of pit and fissure sealants and fluoride varnish in preventing dental decay. BMC Oral Health 12(1), pp. 51-62. (10.1186/1472-6831-12-51)
- Robling, M. R. et al. 2012. The effect of the Talking Diabetes consulting skills intervention on glycaemic control and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised controlled trial (DEPICTED study). British Medical Journal 344, article number: e2359. (10.1136/bmj.e2359)
- Gregory, J. W. et al. 2011. Development and evaluation by a cluster randomised trial of a psychosocial intervention in children and teenagers experiencing diabetes: The DEPICTED study. Health Technology Assessment 15(29), pp. 1-202. (10.3310/hta15290)
- Spanou, C. et al. 2010. Preventing disease through opportunistic, rapid engagement by primary care teams using behaviour change counselling (PRE-EMPT): protocol for a general practice-based cluster randomised trial. BMC Family Practice 11(1), pp. 69. (10.1186/1471-2296-11-69)
Conferences
- Watts, T. et al. 2023. The ASSISTANCE STUDY: Moral distress and psychological wellbeing of nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Presented at: Royal College of Nursing International Nursing Research Conference, Manchester University, 6-8 September 2023.
- Pickles, T., Horton, M., Christensen, K. B., Phillips, R., Gillespie, D., Mo, N. and Choy, E. 2023. Patient reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: using Rasch measurement theory and cognitive interviewing to achieve more meaningful measurement. Presented at: ACR Convergence 2023, San Diego, 10-15 November 2023, Vol. 75. Vol. Supp 9.
- Pickles, T. et al. 2022. P089 Patient-reported outcome measures for rheumatoid arthritis disease activity: a systematic review following COSMIN guidelines. Presented at: British Society for Rheumatology Annual Conference 2022, Glasgow, Scotland, 25-27 April 2022Rheumatology Supplement 1, Vol. 61. pp. keac133.088., (10.1093/rheumatology/keac133.088)
- Pickering, D., Pickles, T. and Shiress, T. 2022. A study protocol to develop the domains of an observational well-being scale (WEBS) for non-verbal children and young people with cerebral palsy from using the Innowalk.. Presented at: National Patient Reported Outcome Measures, Online, 14 - 15 June 2022.
- Watts, T. et al. 2022. Addressing moral distress among nurses after the COVID-19 emergency: The ASSISTANCE study. Presented at: Canopi Synposium, Cardiff University, May 2022.
- Lowes, L. M. et al. 2014. Delivering early care in diabetes evaluation: the DECIDE study. Hospital versus home management at diagnosis in childhood diabetes: a comparison of psychological, social, physical and economic outcomes. Presented at: Diabetes UK Professional Conference 2014, Liverpool, UK, 5-7 March 2014.
Thesis
- Pickles, T. 2024. Patient-reported Outcome Measures for Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptom Severity: development of a computer adaptive test from an item bank using Rasch measurement theory (SOCRATES). PhD Thesis, Cardiff University.
- Joshi, H. B. et al. 2022. Urinary stones and intervention quality of life (USIQoL): development and validation of a new core universal patient-reported outcome measure for urinary calculi. European Urology Focus 8(1), pp. 283-290. (10.1016/j.euf.2020.12.011)
- Robling, M. R. et al. 2012. The effect of the Talking Diabetes consulting skills intervention on glycaemic control and quality of life in children with type 1 diabetes: cluster randomised controlled trial (DEPICTED study). British Medical Journal 344, article number: e2359. (10.1136/bmj.e2359)
- Gregory, J. W. et al. 2011. Development and evaluation by a cluster randomised trial of a psychosocial intervention in children and teenagers experiencing diabetes: The DEPICTED study. Health Technology Assessment 15(29), pp. 1-202. (10.3310/hta15290)
Research
I have completed a Health and Care Research Wales NIHR Doctoral Fellowship and PhD focussed on psychometrics, patient reported outcome measures (PROMs), Rasch measurement theory and computer adaptive test in the field of Rheumatoid Arthritis.
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a common chronic inflammatory arthritis characterised by fluctuating symptom severity and recurrent flares, requiring ongoing monitoring and subsequent treatment adjustments over time. Disease activity (DA) monitoring is a standard of care in RA. The current DA assessments require laboratory tests and/or health care professional (HCP) input. Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs), which are tools completed by patients to ascertain perceptions of their health, may therefore be preferable. However, there is no consensus on how to measure RA DA using a PROM.
Disease activity (DA) monitoring is a standard of care in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). The current DA assessments require laboratory tests and/or health care professional input. Patient Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) may therefore be preferable. However, there is no consensus on how to measure RA DA using a PROM.
I aimed to assess the measurement properties of legacy RA DA PROMs and other relevant PROMs, and begin developing a new RA DA PROM.
I employed multiple methods including a systematic review following COnsensus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) guidelines, quantitative analyses of data on legacy PROMs collected in a cross-sectional study of people with RA (pwRA) across four South Wales University Health Boards, thematic and content analyses of cognitive interviews with pwRA and the development of a computer adaptive test.
I found that no legacy RA DA PROMs can be recommended for future use and no legacy PROMs could fully evidence fit to the Rasch measurement theory model. I showed that the Patient global domain is two distinct domains of Disease activity and General health. 12 items across the domains of Pain, Disease activity, Tenderness and swelling, Physical functioning and Stiffness can be used to measure the construct of RA DA. I established some initial evidence of content validity for these items. Lastly, I discovered that a computer adaptive test does not provide a major advantage for the purpose of administering the 12 items.
My findings show that the construct of RA DA can be measured with just five items, with one from each of the Pain, Disease activity, Tenderness and swelling, Physical functioning and Stiffness domains. The next steps are to discover how best to design these five items and to test their measurement properties, before using them as part of a weekly DA monitoring tool.
Patient and public involvement
People with RA were involved throughout the whole life-cycle of this fellowship, from helping to design the research phases, overseeing the running of the fellowship, and helping to understand the meaning of the results.
I was supervised by Professor Ernest Choy (Cardiff University), Dr Mike Horton (University of Leeds), Dr Karl Bang Christensen (University of Copenhagen), Dr Rhiannon Phillips (Cardiff Metropolitan University) and Dr David Gillespie (Cardiff University).
Biography
Career Profile
2009 - 2014: Research Assistant in Statistics, South East Wales Trials Unit and School of Dentistry, Cardiff University
2014 - 2019: Research Associate in Statistics, Centre for Trials Research and Cardiff Regional Experimental Arthritis Treatment and Evaluation Centre
2019 - 2024: Health and Care Research Wales NIHR Doctoral Fellow, Centre for Trials Research
2024 - present: Research Fellow in Statistics, Centre for Trials Research
Education and Qualifications
2009: 1st Class BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences with Industrial Placement, University of Bath
2014: MSc (Distinction) Operational Research and Applied Statistics, Cardiff University
2024: PhD in Medicine, Cardiff University
Teaching Profile
BDS Dental Public Health Statistics Lectures and SPSS Sessions
Honours and awards
GradStat, Royal Statistical Society, 2016
CStat, Royal Statistical Society, 2019
Travel Scholarship, ISOQOL 2021 Conference, 2021
Professional memberships
ISOQOL Member, chair elect of ISOQOL UK & Ireland SIG, October 2021 to October 2022, chair of ISOQOL UK & Ireland SIG, October 2022 to October 2023, past chair of ISOQOL UK & Ireland SIG, October 2023 to October 2024
MRC-NIHR Trials Methodology Research Partnership Outcomes Working Group Strategy Group, May 2021 onwards
National PROMs Network co-ordinator, September 2023 onwards
NIHR-Versus Arthritis Musculoskeletal Translational Ressearch Collaboration (academic lead for Cardiff), May 2024 onwards
Academic positions
Career Profile
2009 - 2014: Research Assistant in Statistics, South East Wales Trials Unit and School of Dentistry, Cardiff University
2014 - 2019: Research Associate in Statistics, Centre for Trials Research and Cardiff Regional Experimental Arthritis Treatment and Evaluation Centre
2019 - 2024: Health and Care Research Wales NIHR Doctoral Fellow, Centre for Trials Research
2024 - present: Research Fellow in Statistics, Centre for Trials Research
Committees and reviewing
NIHR Reviewer Development Scheme
BMJ Open
PLOSONE
Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism
SAGE Open
BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making
Quality of Life Research
Bereavement
F1000
BMC Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Contact Details
PicklesTE@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29206 87259
Neuadd Meirionnydd, Room Room 510, 5th floor, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS
+44 29206 87259
Neuadd Meirionnydd, Room Room 510, 5th floor, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4YS
Research themes
Specialisms
- Applied statistics
- Testing, assessment and psychometrics
- Clinical Trials
- Outcome measures
- Rheumatology and arthritis