Bulgarian rheumatology: science and practice in a cost-constrained environment

Our aim was to appraise publications from Bulgaria, to assess their global impact, and to describe features and challenges unique to the rheumatology practice in Bulgaria characterized by stringent cost constraints. The Scopus database was queried on 25th July 2018 and data on the number of published documents, their Hirsch-indices and citations number were extracted. Published Bulgarian guidelines for the management of rheumatic diseases and the presented data on Bulgarian Rheumatology Society were identified based on prior knowledge of the authors. From all the identified 1082 document the most extensively researched areas were rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), osteoporosis, and osteoarthritis (OA). For the last five years (from Jan 2013 to 25th July 2018) the number of publications was 293. We found that Bulgaria's international scientific collaboration in the field of rheumatology is focused on a handful of countries mainly from Europe. Although Bulgarian rheumatologists have access to costly biologic agents for treating their patients with rheumatic diseases, their funding may not be granted according to the current recommendations of European League against Rheumatism (EULAR) and national guidelines for the management of rheumatic diseases. Although the western world clearly dominates the production of scientific publications in rheumatology, Bulgarian rheumatology may present another perspective for diagnosis and management of patients with rheumatic diseases in a cost-stringent environment. Nevertheless, both rheumatology science and practice in Bulgaria still have a long way to go to take its deserved place among the other European countries.