Dr James Prior

Senior Research Associate in Epidemiology

James gained his undergraduate (BSc (Hons) Sport Science) and postgraduate (MSc by research) degrees from the University of Central Lancashire in 2003 and 2005, and subsequently took up a research post at the University of Central Lancashire. In 2008, James moved into the area of primary care research by joining the School of Medicine at Keele University, training in epidemiology and health services research, with this post providing James the opportunity to undertake a Ph.D. in Epidemiology, focusing on chronic disease comorbidity in primary care. Upon completion of his Ph.D., James moved into the School’s Inflammatory Condition Research Group where his work focused on primary care epidemiology, particularly around inflammatory chronic conditions, delays in their diagnosis and their comorbidities. James also led on undergraduate and postgraduate research methods modules across the University. He remains an Honorary Senior Lecturer with Keele University.

Research

James’ research focus is on the potential to effectively integrate the management of diabetes & hypertension alongside HIV care at the community-level in Tanzania and Uganda.

Relevant expertise, professional memberships, awards

Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education Fellow of the Higher Education Academy Member of the Society for Academic Primary Care Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Scientific Foundation Board (SFB) member

Selected publications

  • Prior JA, Paskins Z, Whittle R, Abdul-Sultan A, Chew-Graham CA, Muller S, Bajpai R, Shepherd TA, Sumathipala A, Mallen CD. 2020. Rheumatic conditions as risk factors for self-harm: A retrospective cohort study. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken).

    Hay CA, Prior JA, Belcher J, Mallen CD, Roddy E. 2020. Mortality in patients with gout treated with allopurinol: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken).

    Chean CS, Prior JA, Helliwell T, Belcher J, Mackie SL, Hider SL, Liddle J, Mallen CD. 2019. Characteristics of patients with giant cell arteritis who experience visual symptoms. Rheumatol Int, vol. 39(10), 1789-1796.

    Evans PL, Prior JA, Belcher J, Hay CA, Mallen CD, Roddy E. 2019. Gender-specific risk factors for gout: a systematic review of cohort studies. Adv Rheumatol, vol. 59(1), 24

    Hider SL, Muller S, Helliwell T, Prior JA, Scott I, Lawton SA, Zwierska I, van Schaardenburg D, van der Helm-van Mil A, Raza K, Mallen CD. 2019. Symptoms associated with inflammatory arthritis are common in the primary care population: results from the joint symptoms survey. Rheumatology (Oxford), vol. 58(11), 2009-2014.

    Evans PL, Prior JA, Belcher J, Mallen CD, Hay CA, Roddy E. 2018. Obesity, hypertension and diuretic use as risk factors for incident gout: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies. Arthritis Res Ther, vol. 20(1), 136.

    Helliwell T, Muller S, Hider SL, Prior JA, Richardson JC, Mallen CD. 2018. Challenges of diagnosis and management of giant cell arteritis in general practice: a multimethods study. BMJ Open, vol. 8(2), e019320.

    Liddle J, Bartlam R, Mallen CD, Mackie SL, Prior JA, Helliwell T, Richardson JC. 2017. What is the impact of giant cell arteritis on patients' lives? A UK qualitative study. BMJ Open, vol. 7(8), e017073.

    Prior JA, Ranjbar H, Belcher J, Mackie SL, Helliwell T, Liddle J, Mallen CD. 2017. Diagnostic delay for giant cell arteritis - a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Med, vol. 15(1), 120.

    Cawley A, Prior JA, Muller S, Helliwell T, Hider SL, Dasgupta B, Barraclough K, Mallen CD. 2018. Association between characteristics of pain and stiffness and the functional status of patients with incident polymyalgia rheumatica from primary care. Clin Rheumatol, vol. 37(6), 1639-1644.

    Barnett LA, Prior JA, Kadam UT, Jordan KP. 2017. Chest pain and shortness of breath in cardiovascular disease: a prospective cohort study in UK primary care. BMJ Open, vol. 7(5), e015857.

    Walsh CP, Prior JA, Chandratre P, Belcher J, Mallen CD, Roddy E. 2016. Illness perceptions of gout patients and the use of allopurinol in primary care: baseline findings from a prospective cohort study. BMC Musculoskelet Disord, vol. 17(1), 394.

    Ahmed N, Prior JA, Chen Y, Hayward R, Mallen CD, Hider SL. 2016. Prevalence of cardiovascular-related comorbidity in ankylosing spondylitis, psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis in primary care: a matched retrospective cohort study. Clin Rheumatol, vol. 35(12), 3069-3073.

    Prior JA, Mallen CD, Chandratre P, Muller S, Richardson J, Roddy E. 2016. Gout characteristics associate with depression, but not anxiety, in primary care: Baseline findings from a prospective cohort study. Joint Bone Spine.

    Prior JA, Jordan KP, Kadam UT. 2015. Variations in patient-reported physical health between cardiac and musculoskeletal diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based studies. Health Qual Life Outcomes, vol. 13, 71.

    Prior JA, Ogollah R, Muller S, Chandratre P, Roddy E, Mallen CD. 2015. Gout, anxiety, and depression in primary care: a matched retrospective cohort study. Scand J Rheumatol, vol. 44(3), 257-258.

    Prior JA, Jordan KP, Kadam UT. 2014. Associations between cardiovascular disease severity, osteoarthritis co-morbidity and physical health: a population-based study. Rheumatology (Oxford), vol. 53(10), 1794-1802.

    Prior JA, Jordan KP, Kadam UT. 2012. Influence of chronic diseases on long-term change in physical