Biostatistics

The Biostatistics Unit of IDIBELL offers statistical consulting services to researchers at the IDIBELL campus, as well as to other public and private entities. Services provided range from study planning to data analysis and assistance with interpretation of the results. The department works in an integrated manner with the HUB Pharmacology Department and the UICEC platform, where it also provides support and advice regarding clinical trials within the unit. The department also offers seminars and training courses.

Our mission is to provide professional statistical analysis services to clinical researchers. Our goal is to collaborate with teams in the whole research process. Not just to serve as a resource that tackles a complex analysis.

Services

Research Planning and Study Design

Study design: clinical trials and real world data
Preparation and review of proposals for calls and competitive projects.
Estimation of the sample size adapted to each type of study.
Drafting of the statistical analysis plan based on established objectives and methods.

Data Design and Management

Creation and customization of databases in REDCap, including surveys and electronic forms.
Advice on the configuration of advanced REDCap functionalities (randomization, longitudinal monitoring, quality control).

Statistical Analysis and Modelling

Clinical trials
Classical descriptive and inferential statistics.
Multivariate and survival models.
Longitudinal methods and repeated analysis.
Mixed models and hierarchical analysis.
Predictive models.
Bayesian techniques.
Meta-analyses.
Other methods according to the specific needs of the study.

Support in Publications and Calls

Review of manuscripts (statistical methods and results section).
Advice on responding to reviewers.
Review of scholarships and grants in the statistical field.
Support in the preparation of systematic reviews or meta-analyses.

Formation

Courses and workshops on biostatistics applied to research.
Practical training in statistical software (R) and data management (REDCap).
Flexible modalities: seminars and group training, adapted to the level and needs of the researchers.

Equipment

Publications

Hydroxychloroquine for Prevention of Covid-19.

Mitjà O, Corbacho-Monné M, Ubals M, Alemany A, Suñer C, Tebé C, Tobias A, Peñafiel J, Ballana E, Pérez CA, Admella P, Riera-Martí N, Laporte P, Mitjà J, Clua M, Bertran L, Sarquella M, Gavilán S, Ara J, Argimon JM, Cuatrecasas G, Cañadas P, Elizalde-Torrent A, Fabregat R, Farré M, Forcada A, Flores-Mateo G, López C, Muntada E, Nadal N, Narejos S, Nieto A, Prat N, Puig J, Quiñones C, Ramírez-Viaplana F, Reyes-Urueña J, Riveira-Muñoz E, Ruiz L, Sanz S, Sentís A, Sierra A, Velasco C, Vivanco-Hidalgo RM, Zamora J, Casabona J, Vall-Mayans M, González-Beiras C, Clotet B; BCN-PEP-CoV2 Research Group.

N Engl J Med. 2021 Feb 4;384(5):417-427. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2021801. Clinical Trial.

Extracorporeal Blood Purification and Acute Kidney Injury in Cardiac Surgery: The SIRAKI02 Randomized Clinical Trial. Pérez-Fernández X, Ulsamer A, Cámara-Rosell M, Sbraga F, Boza-Hernández E, Moret-Ruíz E, Plata-Menchaca E, Santiago-Bautista D, Boronat-García P, Gumucio-Sanguino V, Peñafiel-Muñoz J, Camacho-Pérez M, Betbesé-Roig A, Forni L, Campos-Gómez A, Sabater-Riera J; SIRAKI02 Study Group. JAMA. 2024 Nov 5;332(17):1446-1454. doi: 10.1001/jama.2024.20630. Clinical Trial.

Pirfenidone in post-COVID-19 pulmonary fibrosis (FIBRO-COVID): a phase 2 randomised clinical trial. Bermudo-Peloche G, Del Rio B, Vicens-Zygmunt V, Bordas-Martinez J, Hernández M, Valenzuela C, Laporta R, Rigual Bobillo J, Portillo K, Millán-Billi P, Balcells E, Badenes-Bonet D, Bolivar S, Rodríguez-Portal JA, López Ramirez C, Tomás L, Fernández de Roitegi K, Sellarés J, Castillo D, González J, Barril S, Gutiérrez-Rodríguez Y, Caballero P, Alarcon J, Peñafiel J, Sanz-Santos J, Blavia R, Caupena C, Segovia P, Santos-Pérez S, Ferrer-Artola A, Badia MB, Hereu P, Fuentes M, Montes-Worboys A, Franquet T, Luburich P, Molina-Molina M. Eur Respir J. 2025 Apr 24;65(4):2402249. Clinical Trial.

Hydroxychloroquine for Early Treatment of Adults With Mild Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Randomized, Controlled Trial. Mitjà O, Corbacho-Monné M, Ubals M, Peñafiel J, Tobias A, Ballana E, Alemany A, Riera-Martí N, Pérez CA, Suñer C, Laporte P, Admella P, Mitjà J, Clua M, Bertran L, Sarquella M, Gavilán S, Ara J, Argimon JM, Casabona J, Cuatrecasas G, Cañadas P, Elizalde-Torrent A, Fabregat R, Farré M, Forcada A, Flores-Mateo G, Muntada E, Nadal N, Narejos S, Gil-Ortega AN, Prat N, Puig J, Quiñones C, Reyes-Ureña J, Ramírez-Viaplana F, Ruiz L, Riveira-Muñoz E, Sierra A, Velasco C, Vivanco-Hidalgo RM, Sentís A, G-Beiras C, Clotet B, Vall-Mayans M; BCN PEP-CoV-2 RESEARCH GROUP. Clin Infect Dis. 2021 Dec 6;73(11):e4073-e4081. Clinical Trial.

Silicone Stent Versus Fully Covered Metallic Stent in Malignant Central Airway Stenosis. Ortiz-Comino RM, Morales A, López-Lisbona R, Cubero N, Diez-Ferrer M, Tebé C, Rosell A; ESCODULE Study Group, Peñafiel J. Ann Thorac Surg. 2021 Jan;111(1):283-289.

NECPAL prognostic tool: a palliative medicine retrospective cohort study. Turrillas P, Peñafiel J, Tebé C, Amblàs-Novellas J, Gómez-Batiste X. BMJ Support Palliat Care. 2021 Feb 16:bmjspcare-2020-002567.

Trends in the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections; towards a paradigm shift, Spain, 2007 to 2019. Badia-Cebada L, Peñafiel J, Saliba P, Andrés M, Càmara J, Domenech D, Jiménez-Martínez E, Marrón A, Moreno E, Pomar V, Vaqué M, Limón E, Masats Ú, Pujol M, Gasch O; VINCat programme. Euro Surveill. 2022 May;27(19):2100610.

Long COVID in ARDS Survivors: Insights from a Two-Year-Follow-Up Study After the First Wave of the Pandemic. Aranda J, Oriol I, Vázquez N, Ramos K, Suárez RC, Feria L, Peñafiel J, Coloma A, Borjabad B, Clivillé R, Vacas M, Carratalà J. J Clin Med. 2025 Mar 10;14(6):1852.

Long-Term Reassurance with Negative High-Risk Human Papillomavirus (HR-HPV) and Clear Margins After Large Loop Excision of the Transformation Zone (LLETZ). Heydari F, de Sanjosé S, Peñafiel J, Fernández-Montolí ME. Cancers (Basel). 2025 Feb 1;17(3):487.

REDCapDM: An R package with a set of data management tools for a REDCap project. Carmezim J, Satorra P, Peñafiel J, García-Lerma E, Pallarès N, Santos N, Tebé C. BMC Med Res Methodol. 2024 Mar 1;24(1):55.