Statistical and Machine Learning Methods to Predict Glucocorticoid Toxicity Outcomes for Patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases

Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases (IMIDs) represent a group of disorders which cause inflammation of various parts of the body due to the triggered immune system response. They affect more than 2 million people worldwide and make a serious impact on families, resulting in an additional burden on the health system. <br /> <br /> For example, Polymyalgia Rheumatica (PMR) and Giant Cell Arthritis (GCA) are very common types of autoimmune rheumatic disorders, one of the groups of IMIDs. PMR affects muscles around the neck, shoulders and hips, while GCA affects arteries, usually in the human head. These two disorders are mostly observed in the elderly and cause such symptoms as severe headaches, tiredness, vision problems, loss of weight, etc. <br /> <br /> Currently, there are no cures for IMIDs. However, certain medications are used to help with the symptoms. Glucocorticoids (GCs) are a class of steroid hormones predominantly used in the UK to reduce inflammation in IMIDs patients. However, it has been shown that the use of high doses of GCs is associated with an increased risk of Cardiovascular Disease (CVD). With recent advancements in data-driven techniques researchers look for patterns and hidden relationships between patients’ data and the risk/prediction of particular diagnoses. For example, in [1] a higher risk of CVD was confirmed for patients with 6 immune-mediated diseases on lower doses of GCs. In [2] are demonstrated models which aggregate predictions of CVD risk from a set of ML methods. <br /> <br /> In this project, the student will work with the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). The data contain demographics, lifestyle, medication, and diagnosis (type of IMIDs and CVDs) and are linked with hospital records (HES, https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/data-tools-and-services/data-services/hospital-episode-statistics) and mortality data taken from the Office of National Statistics (ONS, https://www.ons.gov.uk/atoz?query=mortality&size=10). The student will test how Statistical and Machine Learning methods help with the prediction of CVDs outcome/severity for IMIDs patients who are taking GC medication. The student will look into methods to identify important features which influence CVDs outcome/severity and work on the development of predictive ML-based models. The methodology is to be validated using UK Biobank data (https://www.ukbiobank.ac.uk/). <br />

<p>References</p> <p>[1] Pujades-Rodriguez M, Morgan AW, Cubbon RM, Wu J (2020) Dose-dependent oral glucocorticoid cardiovascular risks in people with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: A population-based cohort study. PLOS Medicine 17(12): e1003432. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003432">https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1003432</a></p> <p>[2] Alaa, A. M., Bolton, T., Di Angelantonio, E., Rudd, J., & van der Schaar, M. (2019). Cardiovascular disease risk prediction using automated machine learning: A prospective study of 423,604 UK Biobank participants. PloS one, 14(5), e0213653. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213653">https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0213653</a></p> <p style="margin-bottom:11px"> </p> <h3> </h3> <p> </p> <p> </p>

<p>Formal applications for research degree study should be made online through the <a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/research-applying/doc/applying-research-degrees">University's website</a>. Please state clearly in the Planned Course of Study section that you are applying for <em><strong>PhD Statistics FT,</strong></em> in the research information section that the research degree you wish to be considered for is <em><strong>Statistical and Machine Learning Methods to Predict Glucocorticoid Toxicity Outcomes for Patients with Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Diseases</strong></em> as well as <a href="https://eps.leeds.ac.uk/faculty-engineering-physical-sciences/staff/10654/dr-sofya-titarenko">Dr Sofya Titarenko</a> as your proposed supervisor and in the finance section, please state clearly <em><strong>the funding that you are applying for, if you are self-funding or externally sponsored</strong></em>.</p> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">Applications will be considered after the closing date.  Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to contact the supervisors for an informal discussion before making a formal application. We also advise that you apply at the earliest opportunity as the application and selection process may close early, should we receive a sufficient number of applications or that a suitable candidate is appointed.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><strong>Please note that you must provide the following documents in support of your application by the closing date of Monday 3 March 2025 if applying for Leeds Doctoral Scholarship or Tuesday 1 April 2025 for Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship.</strong></p> <p><strong>If you are applying for the School of Mathematics Scholarship 2025/26, or with external sponsorship or you are funding your own study, please ensure you provide your supporting documents at the point you submit your application:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Full Transcripts of all degree study or if in final year of study, full transcripts to date</li> <li>Personal Statement outlining your interest in the project</li> <li>CV</li> </ul>

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<p style="margin-bottom:12px"><strong>Self-Funded or externally sponsored students are welcome to apply.</strong></p> <p><strong>UK</strong> – The <a href="http://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/138-leeds-doctoral-scholarship-2025-faculty-of-engineering-and-physical-sciences#:~:text=Key%20facts&text=One%20Leeds%20Doctoral%20Scholarship%20is,rata%20for%20part%2Dtime%20study.">Leeds Doctoral Scholarship</a> <strong>(closing date: Monday 3 March 2025)</strong>, <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/234-leeds-opportunity-research-scholarship-2022">Leeds Opportunity Research Scholarship</a> <strong>(closing date: Tuesday 1 April 2025)</strong> and <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/55-school-of-mathematics-scholarship-2025-26">School of Mathematics Scholarship 2025/26</a> <strong>(open from October 2024)</strong> are available to UK applicants.</p> <p><strong>Non-UK</strong> – <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/55-school-of-mathematics-scholarship-2025-26">School of Mathematics Scholarship 2025/26</a> <strong>(open from October 2024)</strong> are available to all International applicants.  The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/48-china-scholarship-council-university-of-leeds-scholarships-2021">China Scholarship Council - University of Leeds Scholarship</a> <strong>(now closed for October 2025 entry)</strong> is available to nationals of China. The <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/73-leeds-marshall-scholarship">Leeds Marshall Scholarship</a> is available to support US citizens. <a href="https://phd.leeds.ac.uk/funding/60-alumni-bursary">Alumni Bursary</a> is available to graduates of the University of Leeds.</p> <p>You will be responsible for paying the overtime fee in full in your writing up/overtime year (£320 in Session 2024/25), but the scholarship maintenance allowance will continue to be paid for up to 6 months in the final year of award.</p> <p><strong>Important:</strong> Please note that that the award does<em><strong> not</strong></em> cover the costs associated with moving to the UK.  All such costs (<a href="https://www.leeds.ac.uk/international-visas-immigration/doc/applying-student-visa">visa, Immigration Health Surcharge</a>, flights etc) would have to be met by yourself, or you will need to find an alternative funding source. </p> <p>Please refer to the <a href="https://www.ukcisa.org.uk/">UKCISA</a> website for information regarding Fee Status for Non-UK Nationals.</p>

<p>For general enquiries about your application, please contact PGR Admissions by email to <a href="mailto:maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk">maps.pgr.admissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p> <p>For questions about this research project, please contact Dr Sofya Titarenko by email to <a href="mailto:S.Titarenko@leeds.ac.uk">S.Titarenko@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>