Contemporary Scientometric Characteristics of Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Objective The purpose of the present investigation is to analyze some essential scientometric features of the dynamic institutionalization and internationalization of contemporary research on obstructive sleep apnea, a common and socially significant respiratory sleep disorder affecting adults and children worldwide. Methods A retrospective, problem-oriented, title-word-based search was performed in the Science Citation Index Expanded, MEDLINE, and BIOSIS Citation Index of Web of Science, as well as in Scopus, for the period 2019-2023. The annual dynamics of the quantitative characteristics of several essential scientometric indicators were comparatively assessed. Results A total of 9,692 publications were abstracted in the Science Citation Index Expanded, 8,103 in Scopus, 7,421 in MEDLINE, and 3,130 in BIOSIS. Authors from 118, 165, and 74 countries had publications abstracted in SCI Expanded, Scopus, and BIOSIS, respectively. Additionally, publications were available in a total of 23 languages (mainly in Scopus and MEDLINE). Researchers from the USA and China strongly dominated the field. The journals with the most papers on the topic, the most cited articles, and the most productive authors and scientific institutions were identified. The Hirsch index values were relatively high. Clinical neurology, respiratory system, and neurosciences were among the most common thematic categories in the Science Citation Index Expanded, while complications, polysomnography, diagnosis, therapy, and epidemiology of obstructive sleep apnea were the most prevalent Medical Subject Headings in MEDLINE. Conclusion The dynamic stratification of science in this field, in terms of publication output and international collaboration, deserves special attention from science policymakers and research managers in smaller countries.