Finder

Current NHS consultant posts held

Director of Research & Development, Luton & Dunstable University Hospital since May 2019

Consultant Physician & Rheumatologist, Luton & Dunstable University Hospital since Aug 2013

Research interests

Established rheumatology research facility at Luton hospital with focus on
phase III and IV studies (8 completed trials and six ongoing studies)
• Contributed extensively to clinical research including multinational biologic clinical
trials (primary or co-investigator for over 40 trials)
• Primary investigator for BSR Biologics register and various long term observational
studies
• Successfully obtained over £65,000 research grants since 2014
• Developed an in-depth understanding of clinical trials application process
• Undertaken the step by step process from conception of a research idea,
development of study protocol, negotiating with interested parties, applying via
IRAS, presentation to REC, employing recruitment strategies, day to day
logistics, gathering of data and presenting at national and international
meetings
• Manage wide range of complex patients in trials whilst duly collaborating with
sponsors, CROs and Trust’s R&D department

Personal interests

I live locally with my wife and two daughters. I love travelling with them as I enjoy learning different cultures and seeing different places through my children’s eyes. In my free time, I work in the local community with charities. I voluntarily provide career guidance to local youth and health education to elders. I love watching various quiz programs and have won several medical quiz shows over the years!

Awards received

BSR Commendation prize at National Best Practice Awards 2018
Luton Clinical Excellence Award Level 4 2017
EULAR Bursary award for oral presentation 2017
RCP John Glyn Bursary for service to research 2016
BSR EULAR congress bursary for poster presentation 2015
L&D Clinical Excellence Award Level 1 2015
IOF Conference bursary for abstract presentation 2014
CRN Research Nurse funding 2013 (ongoing)
Luton Runner up for community health provision award

Publications

Over 90 publications – salient ones below

Papers (First/corresponding author)

• Nisar MK. Early arthritis clinic is cost effective, improves outcomes and reduces biologic use Clin Rheumatol. 2019 Mar 19. doi: 10.1007/s10067-019-04515-3. [Epub ahead of print]
• Nisar MK. Early arthritis clinic is effective for rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritides Rheumatol Int. 2019 Apr;39(4):657-662
• Nisar MK. Crystallising the role of adrenocorticotrophic hormone in the management of acute gout: a review. Clin Exp Rheumatol. Epub 2018 Aug 29.
• Nisar MK, Mirza W, Rafiq A, Eisenhut M. Adherence to biologic therapy - Does it vary
with ethnicity? Biologicals. 2018 Jul;54:28-32.
• Nisar MK, Rafiq A, Östör AJK. Biologic therapy for inflammatory arthritis and latent tuberculosis:real world experience from a high prevalence area in the UK. Clin Rheumatol. 2015;34:2141-5
• Nisar MK, Östör AJK. Pulmonary Complications of Biological Therapies in Children with Rheumatic Diseases. Paediatr Respir Rev. 2013 Dec;14(4):236-41
• Nisar MK, Östör AJK. TNF antagonists and Shingles: Is Vaccination Advisable? Ann Rheum Dis. 2013 May;72(5):e1
• Nisar MK, Masood F, Cookson P, Sansome A, Östör AJK. What do we know about juvenile idiopathic arthritis and vitamin D? A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of current evidence. Clin Rheumatol. 2013 Jun;32(6):729-34
• Brode S, Nisar MK, Östör AJK. Same day or historical ESR for disease activity score measurement, does it matter? Clinical Rheumatol. 2013 Feb;32(2):261-5
• Nisar MK, Östör AJK. The role of tocilizumab monotherapy in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Int J Clinical Rheumatol. 2012 Feb;7(1):9-19
• Hadjinicolaou AV, Nisar MK, Parfrey H, Chilvers ER, Östör AJK. Non-infectious pulmonary toxicity of Rituximab: a systematic review. Rheumatology. 2012 Apr;51(4):653-62
• Hadjinicolaou AV, Nisar MK, Bhagat S, Parfrey H, Chilvers ER, Östör AJK. Non-infectious pulmonary complications of newer biological agents for rheumatic diseases- a systematic literature review. Rheumatology. 2011 Dec;50(12):2297-305 & Rheumatology Middle East Vol 4 Issue 1

Courses offered to GPs

I'm the lead for GPs education and been actively involved since 2010. I have delivered over 20 educational sessions in the last six months on a variety of topics including:

1. Early arthritis and the role of GPs

2. Rheumatoid arthritis - an immunological emergency

3. Psoriatic arthritis - an underdiagnosed condition

4. Stiff back - does it herald early death?

5. Spondyloarthritis - what does primary care need to know

6. Osteoporosis - an impending disaster

7. Crystals are multidimensional