Prof. Dr. Olaf Gefeller
Chair of Biometry and Epidemiology, Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty

Prof. Dr. Olaf Gefeller
Chair of Biometry and Epidemiology, Department of Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Medical Faculty
My research during the recent decade has focused on epidemiological projects related to skin cancer. In addition I am currently involved in a number of Covid-19 related epidemiological projects.
Research projects
- Systematic review and meta-analysis on prediction models for melanoma
- Epidemiological field studies in different regions addressing sun protection during childhood
- Epidemiological cohort study of a random sample of >4200 inhabitants of the county
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SO-BMG_EMOPROM LCN: EMOPROM LCN - Multidisziplinäre Online PROMs im Long-COVID Netzwerk von ambulanten, stationären und rehabilitativen Sektoren in Zusammenarbeit mit Patientinnen und Patienten
(Third Party Funds Single)
Project leader: , , , , , ,
Term: 16. November 2024 - 15. November 2028
Acronym: SO-BMG_EMOPROM LCN
Funding source: Bundesministerium für Gesundheit (BMG)
2026
- Matías-García, P.R., Lai, L., Delerue, T., Ohnmacht, J., Stark, K.J., Warmerdam, R.,... Peters, A. (2026). DNAm landscape up to 4 months post SARS-CoV-2 infection: insights from four population-based cohorts. Clinical Epigenetics, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13148-026-02166-1
- Uter, W., Schwensen, J.F.B., Blömeke, B., Gefeller, O., John, S.M., Bieck, C., & Schubert, S. (2026). Contact Allergy to Ingredients of Hair Cosmetics Associated with Occupational and Non-Occupational Exposure—Trends from 1995 to 2020 in Central Europe, with or without Regulation. Contact Dermatitis. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.70079
2025
- Brokmeier, L., Ilic, L., Haas, S., Uter, W., Heppt, M., Gefeller, O., & Kaiser, I. (2025). Knowledge and Risk Perception Regarding Keratinocyte Carcinoma in Lay People: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Healthcare, 13(15). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare13151912
- Kaiser, I., Pfahlberg, A., Lehmann, M., Buchta, E., Uter, W., & Gefeller, O. (2025). The extent of public awareness and use of the Global Solar UV Index as a worldwide health promotion instrument to improve sun protection: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 101(3), 636-659. https://doi.org/10.1111/php.14028
- Kaiser, I., Rappl, A., Bolay, L., Pfahlberg, A.B., Heppt, M., & Gefeller, O. (2025). The Impact of Dietary Intake of Furocoumarins and Furocoumarin-Rich Foods on the Risk of Cutaneous Melanoma: A Systematic Review. Nutrients, 17(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17081296
- Scheuermann, J.-S., Scheerbaum, P., Liu, Y., Ding, Y., Lu, J., Zhong, M.,... Kratzer, A. (2025). SinoMAKS-protocol of a randomised controlled trial to evaluate the Chinese version of the non-pharmacological, multimodal MAKS intervention for people with mild to moderate dementia in Chinese nursing homes. BMJ Open, 15(4), e093618-. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2024-093618
2024
- Gefeller, O., Kaiser, I., Brockmann, E., Uter, W., & Pfahlberg, A.B. (2024). The Level of Agreement between Self-Assessments and Examiner Assessments of Melanocytic Nevus Counts: Findings from an Evaluation of 4548 Double Assessments. Current Oncology, 31(4), 2221-2232. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31040164
- Pape, L., DeZwaan, M., Nöhre, M., Klewitz, F., Kyaw Tha Tun, E., Prüfe, J.,... Wenzel, M. (2024). A multimodal aftercare intervention improves the outcome after kidney transplantation – results of the KTx360° aftercare program using claims data. EClinicalMedicine, 73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102652
- Prelog, M., Jeske, S.D., Asam, C., Fuchs, A., Wieser, A., Gall, C.,... Steininger, P. (2024). Clinical and immunological benefits of full primary COVID-19 vaccination in individuals with SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infections: A prospective cohort study in non-hospitalized adults. Journal of Clinical Virology, 170. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcv.2023.105622
2023
- Kaiser, I., Pfahlberg, A.B., Mathes, S., Uter, W., Diehl, K., Steeb, T.,... Gefeller, O. (2023). Inter-Rater Agreement in Assessing Risk of Bias in Melanoma Prediction Studies Using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST): Results from a Controlled Experiment on the Effect of Specific Rater Training. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 12(5). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12051976
- Mathes, S., Lindwedel, K., Nilsen, L.T., Kaiser, I., Pfahlberg, A.B., & Gefeller, O. (2023). Global Tanning Bed Advertising: A Comparison of Legal Regulations on Three Continents. Cancers, 15(17). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15174362
- Peterhoff, D., Wiegrebe, S., Einhauser, S., Patt, A.J., Beileke, S., Günther, F.,... Wagner, R. (2023). Population-based study of the durability of humoral immunity after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Frontiers in Immunology, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1242536
- Uter, W., Hallmann, S., Gefeller, O., Brans, R., Symanzik, C., Oppel, E.,... Geier, J. (2023). Contact allergy to ingredients of hair cosmetics in female hairdressers and female consumers—An update based on IVDK data 2013–2020. Contact Dermatitis. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14363
2022
- Diehl, K., Battenberg, M.C., Jansen, C., Pfahlberg, A.B., Gefeller, O., & Görig, T. (2022). "That's right, I just don't remember what that was exactly" - A qualitative Study on the UV Index among Pharmacy Staff. In GESUNDHEITSWESEN (pp. 805-805). STUTTGART: GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG.
- Diehl, K., Lindwedel, K., Mathes, S., Gefeller, O., & Görig, T. (2022). Tanning Bed Legislation for Minors: A Comprehensive International Comparison. Children, 9(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/children9060768
- Einhauser, S., Peterhoff, D., Beileke, S., Günther, F., Niller, H.H., Steininger, P.,... Wagner, R. (2022). Time Trend in SARS-CoV-2 Seropositivity, Surveillance Detection- and Infection Fatality Ratio until Spring 2021 in the Tirschenreuth County—Results from a Population-Based Longitudinal Study in Germany. Viruses, 14(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/v14061168
- Gefeller, O., & Diehl, K. (2022). Children and Ultraviolet Radiation. Children, 9(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/children9040537
- Gefeller, O., Mathes, S., Uter, W., & Pfahlberg, A.B. (2022). The Role of the Global Solar UV Index for Sun Protection of Children in German Kindergartens. Children, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/children9020198
- Guenther, F., Einhauser, S., Peterhoff, D., Wiegrebe, S., Niller, H.H., Beileke, S.,... Wagner, R. (2022). Higher Infection Risk among Health Care Workers and Lower Risk among Smokers Persistent across SARS-CoV-2 Waves-Longitudinal Results from the Population-Based TiKoCo Seroprevalence Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(24). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192416996
- Görig, T., Pfahlberg, A., Gefeller, O., Breitbart, E., & Diehl, K. (2022). Results of a nationwide Survey on the Relationship between Children's Sun Protection and Sun Exposure Behavior and the corresponding Behavior of their Parents. In GESUNDHEITSWESEN (pp. 802-802). STUTTGART: GEORG THIEME VERLAG KG.
- Havmose, M., Uter, W., Gefeller, O., Friis, U.F., Thyssen, J.P., Zachariae, C., & Johansen, J.D. (2022). A nationwide skin protection program introduced in hairdressing vocational schools was followed by a decreased risk of occupational hand eczema. Contact Dermatitis. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14207
- Havmose, M.S., Uter, W., Gefeller, O., & Johansen, J.D. (2022). Aetiology of occupational hand eczema in hairdressers: Tackling the complexity of exposure combinations to identify patterns associated with increased risk of hand eczema. Contact Dermatitis. https://doi.org/10.1111/cod.14264
- Kaiser, I., Diehl, K., Heppt, M., Mathes, S., Pfahlberg, A.B., Steeb, T.,... Gefeller, O. (2022). Reporting Quality of Studies Developing and Validating Melanoma Prediction Models: An Assessment Based on the TRIPOD Statement. Healthcare, 10(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10020238
- Kaiser, I., Mathes, S., Pfahlberg, A., Uter, W., Heppt, M., Steeb, T.,... Gefeller, O. (2022). Evaluation of Melanoma Prediction Studies Using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). In Proceedings of the Jahrestagung der DGEpi. Greifswald.
- Kaiser, I., Mathes, S., Pfahlberg, A.B., Uter, W., Berking, C., Heppt, M.,... Gefeller, O. (2022). Using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST) to Evaluate Melanoma Prediction Studies. Cancers, 14(12). https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14123033
- Kratzer, A., Diehl, K., Gefeller, O., Meyer, S., & Grässel, E. (2022). Non-pharmacological, psychosocial MAKS-s intervention for people with severe dementia in nursing homes: results of a cluster-randomised trial. BMC Geriatrics, 22(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-03695-z
2021
- Diehl, K., Görig, T., Jansen, C., Hruby, M.C., Pfahlberg, A.B., & Gefeller, O. (2021). “I’ve heard of it, yes, but i can’t remember what exactly it was”—a qualitative study on awareness, knowledge and use of the UV index. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(4), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041615
- Einhauser, S., Peterhoff, D., Niller, H.H., Beileke, S., Günther, F., Steininger, P.,... Wagner, R. (2021). Spectrum bias and individual strengths of SARS-CoV-2 serological tests–A population-based evaluation. Diagnostics, 11(10). https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics11101843
- Görig, T., Södel, C., Pfahlberg, A., Gefeller, O., Breitbart, E., & Diehl, K. (2021). Sun protection and sunburn in children aged 1-10 years in germany: Prevalence and determinants. Children, 8(8). https://doi.org/10.3390/children8080668
- Hepp, T., Marquart, P., Jauck, C., & Gefeller, O. (2021). Auswirkungen der Ausgangsbeschränkungen im Zusammenhang mit Covid-19 auf Supermarktbesuche in Deutschland. Gesundheitswesen. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1341-1575
- Uter, W., Eversbusch, C., Gefeller, O., & Pfahlberg, A. (2021). Quality of Information for Skin Cancer Prevention: A Quantitative Evaluation of Internet Offerings. Healthcare, 9(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9020229
- Wagner, R., Peterhoff, D., Beileke, S., Günther, F., Berr, M., Einhauser, S.,... Überla, K. (2021). Estimates and determinants of sars-cov-2 seroprevalence and infection fatality ratio using latent class analysis: The population-based tirschenreuth study in the hardest-hit german county in spring 2020. Viruses, 13(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/v13061118
2020
- Fietkau, R., Hecht, M., Hofner, B., Lubgan, D., Iro, H., Gefeller, O.,... Balermpas, P. (2020). Randomized phase-III-trial of concurrent chemoradiation for locally advanced head and neck cancer comparing dose reduced radiotherapy with paclitaxel/cisplatin to standard radiotherapy with fluorouracil/cisplatin: The PacCis-trial. Radiotherapy and Oncology, 144, 209-217. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radonc.2020.01.016
- Kaiser, I., Pfahlberg, A.B., Uter, W., Heppt, M., Veierød, M.B., & Gefeller, O. (2020). Risk prediction models for melanoma: A systematic review on the heterogeneity in model development and validation. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(21), 1-25. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17217919
- Krautz, C., Gall, C., Gefeller, O., Nimptsch, U., Mansky, T., Brunner, M.,... Weber, G. (2020). In-hospital mortality and failure to rescue following hepatobiliary surgery in Germany - a nationwide analysis. BMC Surgery, 20(1), 171-. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12893-020-00817-5
- Uter, W., Gefeller, O., Mahler, V., & Geier, J. (2020). Trends and current spectrum of contact allergy in Central Europe: results of the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) 2007–2018. British Journal of Dermatology. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjd.18946