The contribution of countries and world regions in productivity of oncological publication

Abstract

Background: To evaluate the contribution of different countries and world regions in scientific research in the field of oncological diseases.

Patients and methods: We carried out an analysis of papers published in the meeting abstracts of ASCO and ESMO and their official journals, JCO and Annals of Oncology (Ann Oncol) during the time period 2000-2006 biennially, years 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006. All meeting abstracts published in meeting abstract books and journal articles were included.

Results: North America and Europe with equal ratios were responsible for 95% and 80% of published oncological articles and meeting abstracts, respectively. These ratios showed a great difference on the basis of the journal and place of the meeting: American prefers JCO and ASCO and European favors Ann Oncol and ESMO. The number of countries contributed to the production of abstracts was two times more than that of the article production. Generally, there were relationship between the ratios of the majority of the countries in the production of articles and abstracts. However, several countries including Turkey, Korea, Spain, and Brazil have produced more abstracts; others (United States, The Netherlands, France, UK, and Switzerland) had more article production.

Conclusion: Our study shows that developed world regions achieved a higher rate of research productivity than the other world regions.