Dr. Wiebke Schäfer
- Department: Clinical Epidemiology
- Unit: Monitoring of Drug Utilization and Safety
After my master’s degree in Public Health (M.A.), I studied epidemiology for specialization from 2014 onwards and graduated in 2017 with a Master of Science. Since 2017, I have been working as a research associate in the Department of Clinical Epidemiology at BIPS. Additionally, I have been Co-Head of Unit within the department since 2022. In November 2022, I received my doctorate from the University of Bremen. I am particularly interested in drug safety in vulnerable populations such as pregnant women and cancer patients, in the FAIR access to research data, and in the application of common data models and analysis scripts in international studies based on electronic health data.
CV
CV
- November 2022 PhD in Epidemiology (Dr. rer. nat.), University of Bremen; Title of dissertation: “Utilization of antidepressants in vulnerable groups of patients: investigations using data from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD)”
- since January 2022 Co-head of Unit (junior) Monitoring of Drug Utilization and Safety at Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS
- since March 2017 Doctoral researcher at Leibniz-Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS
- February 2017 Master of Science in Epidemiology, University of Bremen (Master thesis: Off-Label Antidepressant-Use and Palliative Care in the Elderly)
- June 2013 Master of Arts in Public Health, University of Bremen
- October 2010 Bachelor of Arts in Public Health and Cultural Sciences (minor), University of Bremen
- Pharmacoepidemiology
- Utilization of antidepressants, especially in the elderly people
- Drug and vaccine safety
- Neuropsychiatric disorders
- Secondary Data
- Cancer Epidemiology
Articles with peer review
- Garbe E, Hoti F, Schink T, Svendsen K, Al-Eid HM, Arkhammer P, Carlholm M, Fjällbrant H, Franzén S, Hedlund C, Kollhorst B, Kumar A, Lobier M, Mushnikov V, Persson T, Qiao X, Salosensaari A, Schäfer W, Sicignano NM, Johansson G, Dareng EO. Long-term safety of roflumilast in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, a multinational observational database cohort study. International Journal of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. 2024;19:1879-1892.
https://doi.org/10.2147/COPD.S465517 - Pajouheshina R, Gini R, Gutierrez L, Swertz M, Hyde E, Sturkenboom MCJM, Arana A, Franzoni C, Ehrenstein V, Roberto G, Gil M, Maciá MA, Schäfer W, Haug U, Thurin NH, Lassalle R, Droz-Perroteau C, Zaccagnino S, Busto MP, Middelkoop B, Gembert K, Sanchez-Saez F, Rodriguez-Bernal C, Sanfélix-Gimeno G, Hurtado I, Barreiro-de-Acosta M, Poblador-Plou B, Carmona-Pírez J, Gimeno-Miguel A, Prados-Torres A, Schultze A, Jansen E, Herings R, Kuiper J, Locatelli I, Jazbar J, Zerovnik S, Kos M, Smit S, Lind S, Metspalu A, Simou S, Hedenmalm K, Cochino A, Alcini P, Kurz X, Perez-Gutthan S. Metadata for data discoverability and study replicability in observational studies (MINERVA): Development and pilot of a metadata list and catalogue definition and recommendations of use from the MINERVA project in Europe. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2024;33(8):e5871.
https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.5871 - Heinig M, Schäfer W, Langner I, Zeeb H, Haug U. German mammography screening program: Adherence, characteristics of (non-)participants and utilization of non-screening mammography - A longitudinal analysis. BMC Public Health. 2023;23:1678.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16589-5 - Reilev M, Jensen PB, Ranch LS, Egenberg A, Furu K, Gembert K, Hägg D, Haug U, Karlstad Ø, Reutfors J, Schäfer W, Schwarz S, Smits E, Holthuis E, Herings R, Trifirò G, Kirchmayer U, Cesare Rosa A, Belleudi V, Gini R, Støvring Henrik, Hallas J. Methodology of the brodalumab assessment of hazards: A multicentre observational safety (BRAHMS) study. BMJ Open. 2023;13:e066057.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2022-066057 - Platzbecker K, Schäfer W, Haug U. Does the socioeconomic status differ between users of potentially NDMA-contaminated generic valsartan and users of brand-name valsartan in Germany? GMS Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie. 2022;18(1):Doc3.
https://doi.org/10.3205/mibe000236 - Schäfer W, Reinders T, Schink T. Second dose of measles-mumps-rubella-varicella vaccine (MMRV) and the risk of febrile convulsions. Vaccine. 2022;40(14):2168-2172.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vaccine.2022.02.072
https://repository.publisso.de/resource/frl:6432144 - Schäfer W, Reinders T, Riedel O, Haug U. How often are antidepressants prescribed off-label among older adults in Germany? A claims data analysis. British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2021;87(4):1778-1789.
https://doi.org/10.1111/bcp.14564 - Schäfer W, Wentzell N, Schink T, Haug U. Characterization of pregnancies exposed to St. John's wort and their outcomes: A claims data analysis. Reproductive Toxicology. 2021;102:90-97.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.reprotox.2021.04.005
https://repository.publisso.de/resource/frl%3A6428346 - Schwarz S, Schäfer W, Horenkamp-Sonntag D, Liebentraut J, Haug U. Follow-up of 3 million persons undergoing colonoscopy in Germany: Utilization of repeat colonoscopies and polypectomies within 10 years. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology. 2021;12(1):e00279. (Erratum: Schwarz S, Schäfer W, Horenkamp-Sonntag D, Liebentraut J, Haug U. Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology. 2024;15(2):e00677. http://doi.org/10.14309/ctg.0000000000000677).
https://doi.org/10.14309/ctg.0000000000000279 - Reinold J, Schäfer W, Christianson L, Barone-Adesi F, Riedel O, Pisa F. Anticholinergic burden and fractures: A systematic review with methodological appraisal. Drugs & Aging. 2020;37(12):885-897.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-020-00806-6 - Reinold J, Schäfer W, Christianson L, Barone-Adesi F, Riedel O, Pisa F. Anticholinergic burden and fractures: A protocol for a methodological systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ Open. 2019;9:e030205.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-030205 - Schäfer W, Princk C, Kollhorst B, Schink T. Antidepressants and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke in the elderly: A nested case-control study. Drug Safety. 2019;42(9):1081-1089.
https://doi.org/10.1007/s40264-019-00837-y
https://repository.publisso.de/resource/frl%3A6416489 Commentaries
- Gini R, Pajouheshina R, Gutierrez L, Swertz M, Hyde E, Sturkenboom MCJM, Arana A, Franzoni C, Ehrenstein V, Roberto G, Gil M, Maciá MA, Schäfer W, Haug U, Thurin NH, Lassalle R, Droz-Perroteau C, Zaccagnino S, Busto MP, Middelkoop B, Gembert K, Sanchez-Saez F, Rodriguez-Bernal C, Sanfélix-Gimeno G, Hurtado I, Barreiro-de-Acosta M, Poblador-Plou B, Carmona-Pírez J, Gimeno-Miguel A, Prados-Torres A, Schultze A, Jansen E, Herings R, Kuiper J, Locatelli I, Jazbar J, Zerovnik S, Kos M, Smit S, Lind S, Metspalu A, Simou S, Hedenmalm K, Cochino A, Alcini P, Kurz X, Perez-Gutthan S. Metadata for data discoverability and study replicability in observational studies (MINERVA): Lessons learnt from the MINERVA project in Europe. Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2024;33(8):.
https://doi.org/10.1002/pds.5884 PhD-Theses
- Schäfer W. Utilization of antidepressants in vulnerable groups of patients: Investigations using data from the German Pharmacoepidemiological Research Database (GePaRD) Bremen: Universität Bremen; 2022.
https://doi.org/10.26092/elib/1974 Presentations at scientific meetings/conferences
- Börnhorst C, Haug U, Kollhorst B, Viebrock J, Didelez V, Schäfer W. Breast cancer recurrence due to avoidable drug-drug interactions? Development of a protocol for emulating a target trial in women with breast cancer that concurrently use tamoxifen and antidepressants. Workshop der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Pharmakoepidemiologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Epidemiologie (DGEpi) und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie (GMDS), 20.-21. Juni 2023, Bremen.
- Schäfer W, Wentzell N, Kollhorst B, Haug U. Antidepressant use in early pregnancy: Prevalence and pregnancy outcomes. Workshop der Arbeitsgemeinschaft Pharmakoepidemiologie der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Epidemiologie (DGEpi) und der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Medizinische Informatik, Biometrie und Epidemiologie (GMDS), 20.-21. Juni 2023, Bremen.
- Schäfer W, Oppelt KA, Haug U. Nutzung von Sekundärdaten zur Charakterisierung von "Extremen" in der Versorgung: Beispiel Koloskopie. 13. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Epidemiologie (DGEpi), 26.-28. September 2018, Bremen.
- Schäfer W, Kollhorst B, Reinders T, Riedel O. Off-label antidepressant use. 33rd International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE), 26-30 August 2017, Montreal, Canada. (Abstract published in: Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety. 2017;26(Suppl.2):S465)
- Schäfer W, Princk C, Schlie N, Kollhorst B, Schink T. Antidepressants and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. 33rd International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE), 26-30 August 2017, Montreal, Canada. (Abstract published in: Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety. 2017;26(Suppl.2):S248)
Posters at scientific meetings/conferences
- Schäfer W, Wentzell N, Kollhorst B, Haug U. Trends in antidepressant use during early pregnancy in Germany between 2005 and 2020. 40th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE), 24-28 August 2024, Berlin.
- Pajouheshnia R, Gini R, Hyde E, Swertz M, Sturkenboom MCJM, Margulis A, Franzoni C, Arana A, Ehrenstein V, Gembert K, Jansen E, Herings R, Thurin N, Locatelli I, Jazbar J, Zerovnik S, Kos M, Smit S, Lind S, Metspalu A, Zaccagnino S, Busto MP, Middelkoop B, Barreiro-de-Acosta M, Sanchez-Saez F, Rodriguez-Bernal C, Sanfélix-Gimeno G, Poblador-Plou B, Carmona-Pírez J, Gimeno-Miguel A, Gil M, Schäfer W, Haug U, Simou S, Hedenmalm K, Cochino A, Alcini P, Kurz X, Gutierrez L, Perez-Gutthan S, on behalf of the MINERVA project consortium. MINERVA: Metadata for data dIscoverability aNd study rEplicability in obseRVAtional studies. 38th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE), 24-28 August 2022, Copenhagen, Denmark. (Abstract published in: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2022;31(Suppl. 2):564)
- Reilev M, Bjødstrup Jensen P, Støvring H, Skov Ranch L, Gini R, Bartolini C, Trifirò G, Kirchmayer U, Cesare Rosa A, Belleudi V, Haug U, Schwarz S, Schäfer W, Herings R, Smits E, Overbeek J, Holthuis E, Furu K, Gembert K, Hägg D, Tari M, Lentile V, Ingrasciotta Y, Egenberg A, Hallas J, on behalf of the BRAHMS study group. BRodalumab Assessment of Hazards: A Multinational Safety (BRAHMS) study of a biological anti-psoriatic drug across six European countries. 38th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE), 24-28 August 2022, Copenhagen, Denmark. (Abstract published in: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2022;31(Suppl. 2):487)
- Schäfer W, Heinig M, Haug U. Time trends in antidepressant use among women aged 50-75 years in Germany. 38th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE), 24-28 August 2022, Copenhagen, Denmark. (Abstract published in: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. 2022;31(Suppl. 2):186)
- Reinold J, Schäfer W, Christianson L, Barone-Adesi F, Riedel O, Pisa F. Anticholinergic burden and fractures in older adults: Results from a methodological systematic review. 36th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE), 16-17 September 2020, online poster. (Abstract published in: Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety. 2020;29(S3):4052)
- Schäfer W, Wentzell N, Haug U. St. John's Wort: Utilization during pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes. 36th International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology & Therapeutic Risk Management (ICPE), 16-17 September 2020, online poster. (Abstract published in: Pharmacoepidemiology & Drug Safety. 2020;29(S3):3719)
- Reinold J, Schäfer W, Christianson L, Barone-Adesi F, Riedel O, Pisa F. Anticholinergic burden and fractures in older adults: Preliminary results from a methodological systematic review and meta-analysis. 15th International Congress of the European Geriatric Medicine Society (EuGMS), 25-27 September 2019, Krakow, Poland.
- Schäfer W, Princk C, Schlie N, Kollhorst B, Schink T. Antidepressants and the risk of hemorrhagic stroke. 13. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Epidemiologie (DGEpi), 26.-28. September 2018, Bremen.
Selected BIPS-Publications
For further publications please follow this link:
- ICPE All Access Scholarship
International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (2020)Aktive Teilnahme an der ICPE All Access - ICPE Scholarship 2017
International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (2017)Aktive Teilnahme an der 33. International Conference on Pharmacoepidemiology and Therapeutic Risk Management in Montréal, Kanada als Jungwissenschaftlerin
- Secondary data for health research
University of Mainz
MSc Epidemiology
- Wintersemester 2018/19
- Since Wintersemester 2020/21
- Pharmacoepidemiology
University of Technology Dresden
MPH Health Sciences - Public Health- WiSe 2023/2024
The responsibility for the content of this page lies with Wiebke Schäfer.