Understanding how health data can reveal causes of drug side effects
Using the literature to build causal models of retrospective observational data
This study is looking at how electronic health records can help us understand the connections between medications and their side effects, so that patients can have safer treatments and make better choices about their care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albuquerque, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10898919 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates how electronic health records (EHRs) can be used to identify causal relationships between drug exposures and their side effects. By employing graphical causal modeling (GCM) and literature-based discovery (LBD) methods, the research aims to enhance the understanding of drug safety by explicitly identifying confounding factors that may obscure true causal links. The approach combines data analysis with insights from existing literature to improve the detection of adverse drug events. Patients may benefit from improved drug safety evaluations and better-informed treatment decisions based on these findings.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals who have experienced adverse drug events or are currently taking medications that may have side effects.
Not a fit: Patients who are not currently on any medications or have not experienced any adverse drug events may not receive benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to safer medication practices and improved health outcomes for patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that combining literature insights with data analysis can enhance the identification of drug side effects, indicating a promising approach.
Where this research is happening
Albuquerque, United States
- University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr — Albuquerque, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Malec, Scott Alexander — University of New Mexico Health Scis Ctr
- Study coordinator: Malec, Scott Alexander
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.