Rothoerl RD, Klier J, Woertgen C, Brawanski A "Level of evidence and citation index in current neurosurgical publications" Neurosurgical Review 26(4):257-261 October 2003

[Eugene Garfield]

Ralf D. Rothoerl : rolf.rothoerl at klinik.uni-regensburg.de

TITLE    Level of evidence and citation index in current
         neurosurgical publications
AUTHOR   Rothoerl RD, Klier J, Woertgen C, Brawanski A
JOURNAL  NEUROSURGICAL REVIEW 26 (4): 257-261 OCT 2003

Document type: Article     Language: English     Cited References: 40
Times Cited: 0      Explanation

Abstract:
Systematic clinical reviews or meta-analyses offer scientifically valid
sources of clinical information. They provide information in a concise form
and can contribute to clinical quality management. Such studies, however,
are only able to reflect the quality of the articles reviewed. The aim of
this study was to evaluate the quality of the neurosurgical literature
according to evidence-based medicine (EBM) standards. We reviewed all
articles published in 1999 in three major neurosurgical journals. These
articles were subdivided according to the level of evidence (LOE) scale
(from 0 to V), article type, and citation index. Nine hundred eighty-two
articles were published in these journals in 1999. Of these, 346 (35%) were
clinical studies, 287 (29%) case reports, 153 (16%) experimental studies,
122 (13%) technical reports, and 74 ( 8%) other types. Subdivision
according to LOE was: Ia 0.3%, Ib 2.5%, IIa 0.2%, IIb 4.3%, IIc 9.5%, IIIa
0.1%, IIIb 3.9%, IV 22.4%, and V 1.6%. Fifty-five percent of all published
studies were case reports, experimental studies, technical reports, or
others and thus could not be subdivided according to the EBM standards. The
number of articles published with high LOE seems to be rather low in 1999.
If these data reflect overall publication practice, it seems unclear
whether enough articles with high LOE are published to propose
scientifically sound clinical treatment suggestions according to EBM
standards.

Author Keywords:
citation index, evidence-based medicine, literature review

KeyWords Plus:
ANEURYSMAL SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE, ANTERIOR CERVICAL DISKECTOMY, LUMBAR
DISC SURGERY, SEVERE HEAD-INJURY, POSTOPERATIVE PAIN, SURGICAL RESEARCH,
MILD HYPOTHERMIA, DOUBLE-BLIND, PILOT TRIAL, THERAPY

Addresses:
Rothoerl RD, Clin Univ Regensburg, Dept Neurosurg, Franz Josef Strauss
Allee 11, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany
Clin Univ Regensburg, Dept Neurosurg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany

Publisher:
SPRINGER-VERLAG, 175 FIFTH AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10010 USA

IDS Number:
727XX

ISSN:
0344-5607

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