Study designs and statistical methods in rheumatological journals: an international comparison

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Bibliometrics
• Scientific Publishing

Background:

• Characterizing publications in rheumatology is essential for understanding research trends.
• A comprehensive analysis of leading rheumatological journals from 1987 provides insight into the state of published research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the characteristics of original papers published in leading rheumatological journals in 1987.
• To classify papers by study design, statistical methods, and country of origin.
• To evaluate the distribution of research methodologies and geographical origins within rheumatological literature.

Main Methods:

• A survey of seven leading rheumatological journals was conducted.
• 1107 original papers published in 1987 were reviewed and classified.
• Classification criteria included study design, statistical techniques, and country of origin.

Main Results:

• Nearly half of the papers were clinical descriptive studies lacking inferential power.
• Randomized clinical trials (15.6%) and case-control studies (14.2%) were the primary analytical research designs.
• Cohort studies constituted only 5.4% of the papers, indicating a potential gap in etiological research.
• The USA and UK were the primary countries of origin for nearly half of the papers.
• Journals from the USA and UK predominantly published domestic research, while international English-language journals featured more diverse origins.

Conclusions:

• A significant proportion of rheumatological publications in 1987 were descriptive, raising questions about their impact.
• There is a need for increased emphasis on etiological research, particularly cohort studies, in rheumatology.
• Bibliometric studies are recommended to monitor and evaluate publication trends in the field.