Evaluating Trends in COVID-19 Research Activity in Early 2020: The Creation and Utilization of a Novel Open-Access Database

Abstract

Introduction The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been unprecedented in recent history. The rapid global spread has demonstrated how the emergence of a novel pathogen necessitates new information to advise both healthcare systems and policy-makers. The directives for the management of COVID-19 have been limited to infection control measures and treatment of patients, which has left physicians and researchers alone to navigate the massive amount of research being published while searching for evidence-based strategies to care for patients. To tackle this barrier, we launched CovidReview.ca, an open-access, continually updated, online platform that screens available COVID-19 research to determine higher quality publications. This paper uses data from this review process to explore the activity and trends of COVID-19 research worldwide over time, while specifically looking at the types of studies being published. Materials and Methods The literature search was conducted on PubMed. Search terms included "COVID-19", "severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2", "coronavirus 19", "SARS-COV-2", and "2019-nCoV". All articles captured by this strategy were reviewed by a minimum of two reviewers and categorized by type of research, relevant medical specialties, and type of publication. Criteria were developed to allow for inclusion or exclusion to the website. Due to the volume of research, only a level 1 (title and abstract) screen was performed. Results The time period for the analysis was January 17, 2020, to May 10, 2020. The total number of papers captured by the search criteria was 10,685, of which 2,742 were included on the website and 7,943 were excluded. The greatest increase in the types of studies over the 16 weeks was narrative review/expert opinion papers followed by case series/reports. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and randomized controlled trials remained the least published types of studies. Conclusions The surge of research that accompanied the COVID-19 pandemic is unparalleled in recent years. From our analysis, it is clear that case reports and narrative reviews were the most widely published, particularly in the earlier days of this pandemic. Continued research that falls higher on the evidence pyramid and is more applicable to clinical settings is warranted.

Keywords: coronavirus; covid-19; covidreview; novel; pandemic; research; sars-cov-2; severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; trends.

Figure 1. Search strategy and categorization process

Figure 2. Number of COVID-19 references indexed in PubMed during early 2020 (A) and daily publications in each week of early 2020 (B).

Data shown is from January 17, 2020, to May 10, 2020, inclusive. Linear regression produced an estimated line of best fit (blue) y=0.014x³ - 0.893x² + 22.3x (R2 = 0.9993), where x is days. Weeks are defined as consecutive groups of seven days starting from January 1, 2020, onward.

Figure 3. Types of COVID-19-related studies indexed in PubMed from Jan 17, 2020, to May 10, 2020

Narr. Rev/Expert Op., narrative review/expert opinion

Figure 4. Studies by type and inclusion status from January 17, 2020, to May 10, 2020

Narr. Rev/Expert Op., narrative review/expert opinion

Figure 5. Types of studies published per week during early 2020

Narr. Rev/Expert Op., narrative review/expert opinion

Figure 6. Cumulative studies sorted by type over time

Narr. Rev/Expert Op., narrative review/expert opinion