Profile of medical research publications from the GCC countries, 1990-1994

Scientometric evaluation of endodontic publications by Gulf Cooperation Council region in 21st century

Objectives

The appraisal of research productivity is one of the key indicators to evaluate any area of knowledge. The current study aimed to analyze the Scopus-indexed publications on endodontics produced by Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region from 2000 to 2020.

Methodology

The dataset was extracted in May 2021 from Elsevier’s Scopus database. Two keywords (“endodontic” and “endodontics”) were entered into the basic search with the Boolean operator of OR for a period of 20 years from 2000 to 2020.

Results

Overall, the GCC region contributed 2.82% of the global endodontic research. This share has shown a remarkable increase between 2001 and 2020 from 0.82% to 7.20%. About 60% of documents’ volumes were produced during the 2016–2020 period. Around 80% of research was produced by Saudi Arabia, while research articles produced by Kuwait gained the highest citation impact. Out of the ten productive institutions, nine belonged to Saudi Arabia and one was from Kuwait. The majority of research collaboration was conducted with the United States, but research articles produced in collaboration with Japan yielded the highest citation impact.

Conclusion

The study highlighted various scientometric attributes of endodontic publications produced by GCC affiliated researchers. The ongoing growth of endodontic literature by GCC countries along with the increasing international collaboration is considered aspiring.

The quantity of health-related article publications from universities in Saudi Arabia: A bibliometric analysis, 2008-2017

Several studies have summarized the biomedical publications in Arab countries. However, the quantity of health-related article publications from universities in recent years in Saudi Arabia is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to perform a bibliometric analysis that showcases the quantitative health-related article publications output from universities in Saudi Arabia between 2008 and 2017. An extensive literature search was conducted using the PubMed database. The search was limited to original research articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses published in the English language reporting on humans from medicine and health sciences colleges by researchers affiliated with any university in Saudi Arabia between January 2008 and December 2017. A total of 3172 articles were found published between January 2008 and December 2017. The number of publication output increased significantly (p = 0.0027) from 73 (2.3%) in 2008 to 721 (22.7%) in 2017. The highest quantity of publications came from the Riyadh region (n = 2257), specifically King Saud University (n = 1538). Of specific journals, the BioMed Central journals published the most articles by Saudi Arabian researchers (n = 112). The total number of publications increased from 2% to 24.8% by region. However, approximately 80% of the papers were published in journals with an impact factor (IF) <3. Around 3.8% of the papers were published in journals that had an IF ≥6 and has increased significantly (p = 0.030) from 0% to 1.2% in the past decade. The journal with the highest IF that published a high quantity of articles was the American Journal of Human Genetics. This study has identified a continuous significant increase in the publication of health-related articles from universities in Saudi Arabia. This study extended our knowledge of the quantity of scientific productivity in the field of medicine and health sciences over a recent decade.

Publications from Saudi Arabia in Plastic Surgery in the Recent Five Years

In the last 5 years, many universities and medical centers have contributed immensely to medical research in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study is to review the publications in the last 5 years in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery from Saudi Arabia.

Medical and biomedical research productivity from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (2008-2012)

BACKGROUND

Biomedical publications from a country mirror the standard of Medical Education and practice in that country. It is important that the performance of the health profession is occasionally documented.

AIMS

This study aimed to analyze the quantity and quality of biomedical publications from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) in international journals indexed in PubMed between 2008 and 2012.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

PubMed was searched for publications associated with KSA from 2008 to 2012. The search was limited to medical and biomedical subjects. Results were saved in a text file and later checked carefully to exclude false positive errors. The quality of the publication was assessed using Journal Citation Report 2012.

RESULTS

Biomedical research production in KSA in those 5 years showed a clear linear progression. Riyadh was the main hub of medical and biomedical research activity. Most of the publications (40.9%) originated from King Saud University (KSU). About half of the articles were published in journals with an Impact Factor (IF) of < 1, one-fourth in journals with no IF, and the remaining one-fourth in journals with a high IF (≥1).

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that research activity in KSA is increasing. However, there is an increasing trend of publishing in local journals with a low IF. More effort is required to promote medical research in Saudi Arabia.

Urology research publications: lessons learned from a developing country

Background

There is very limited data on the nature and type of published research in the field of Urology in the developing countries. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the Urology research activities in one of the Gulf counties (United Arab Emirates (UAE) to define areas of deficiencies and challenges in a trial to learn some lessons to improve research in developing countries.

Results

A total of 96 manuscripts were published from UAE up to 2012. The first publication was in 1985. There is an overall increase in the number of manuscripts published per year over time (one manuscript in 1985 vs. 10 manuscripts in 2012). Forty seven (49%) manuscripts came from the main academic institute (UAE University) and the rest came from the many hospitals around the country. There were 68 original research articles, 4 reviews and 24 case reports. 64 manuscripts represented clinical whereas 32 represented laboratory-based research. The manuscripts represented various urology subspecialties, the commonest of which was urinary obstruction and urolithiasis (n = 19). None of the manuscripts represented a proper epidemiological research. The research activities were sporadic and driven by individuals during particular periods with lack of continuity.

Conclusions

Despite the increasing number of urology articles in this developing country, there is a lack of proper epidemiological studies to identify the local prevalence and behaviour of various conditions. There is also a lack of research groups and hence a lack of continuity of research in any particular field as the research is usually driven by specific research-oriented individuals the departure of who results in a cease in the research activities. Moreover, there is an evidence of lack of research training and capability in the majority of institutes. These observations might assist policy decision makers to develop research in this country and other developing countries.

Growth in biomedical publications and scientific institutions in the Emirates (1998-2004): an Arabian renaissance?

OBJECTIVES

The United Arab Emirates is witnessing a rapid development in population and infrastructure, leading to an expansion in the educational field and the health care system, including universities, hospitals and research institutes. One potential outcome of this development is an increase in biomedical research publications. This was examined in this study.

METHOD

Searches were made of three databases; PubMed, Current Contents and embase. All records from these databases related to the Emirates were downloaded and cross-referenced. Duplications were removed as well as erroneous records. A total of 1369 publications during 1998-2004 were obtained.

RESULTS

Analysis of these records revealed that the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, located at the federal University, was responsible for 48% of all biomedical publications. All hospitals together accounted for 24%, while other universities and other research institutes accounted for 13 and 14% respectively. Further analysis revealed that there had been no further growth in the number of publications since 1998. This is in contrast to the increasing number of institutions that have been set up in the 1998-2004 period; from 29 to 112.

CONCLUSION

The Emirates are witnessing a rapid development in universities, colleges, hospitals and research centres. The ratio of publications, as yet, has not kept up with this development. The enormous growth in institutes, however, may, in time, herald an Arabian renaissance in scientific activity and related publications.