Cappell, MS; et al A significant decline in the Amer domination of research in gastro with increasing globalization from 1980 to 2005: An analysis of Amer authorship among 8,251 articles AMER JOUR OF GASTRO, 103 (5): 1065-1074 MAY 2008

[Eugene Garfield]

E-mail Addresses: mscappell at yahoo.com 

Author(s): Cappell, MS (Cappell, Mitchell S.); Davis, M (Davis, Michael) 

Title: A significant decline in the American domination of research in 
gastroenterology with increasing globalization from 1980 to 2005: An 
analysis of American authorship among 8,251 articles 

Source: AMERICAN JOURNAL OF GASTROENTEROLOGY, 103 (5): 1065-1074 MAY 2008 

Language: English 

Document Type: Editorial Material 

Keywords Plus: NONTEACHING HOSPITALS; SURGICAL JOURNALS; 
INTERNATIONALIZATION; REPRESENTATION; ROENTGENOLOGY; RADIOLOGY; TRENDS; 
IMPACT 

Abstract: AIM: To determine whether the relative American contribution to 
gastroenterology research, as determined by authorship in journals, 
decreased from 1980 to 2005.

METHODS: Country of residence for authors was manually determined for 
8,251 articles, encompassing every gastroenterologic article published in 
1980 and 2005 in nine gastroenterology and four leading medical journals 
(8 American and 5 European journals). Country of residence was also 
determined for all editorial board members for the same years in the same 
journals.

RESULTS: In all eight analyzed American journals, the relative frequency 
of non-American authors significantly and sharply increased from 1980 to 
2005, and of American authors correspondingly decreased. The effect was 
invariant: (a) regardless of journal field: general medicine (e.g., N Engl 
J Med, from 10.1% in 1980 to 27.2% in 2005, odds ratio [OR] 3.34, OR 
confidence interval [CI] 2.40-4.62, P < 0.0001) versus general 
gastroenterology (e.g., Am J Gastroenterol, from 20.8% in 1980 to 51.9% in 
2005, OR 4.29, OR CI 2.81-6.55, P < 0.0001); (b) regardless of journal 
gastroenterology subspecialty (e.g., Hepatology vs Endoscopy); (c) 
regardless of journal circulation: high circulation (e.g., Ann Intern Med, 
OR 3.50, OR CI 2.05-5.96, P < 0.0001) versus lower circulation (e.g., J 
Clin Gastroenterol, OR 6.88, OR CI 2.86-16.5, P < 0.0001); (d) regardless 
of journal impact factor: high impact (e.g., N Engl J Med, see above) 
versus lower impact (e.g., Dig Dis Sci, OR 3.06, OR CI 2.08-4.51, P < 
0.0001); (e) regardless of article topic within a journal (e.g., colon vs 
upper gastrointestinal tract); (f) regardless of article length within a 
journal; (g) regardless of number of authors per article or order of 
authorship; and (h) regardless of whether international representation on 
the journal's editorial board increased (e.g., Am J Gastroenterol) or 
decreased (J Clin Gastroenterol) from 1980 to 2005. Contrariwise, in three 
of five analyzed European journals, the opposite effect occurred: the 
relative frequency of non-American authors statistically significantly 
decreased from 1980 to 2005 (e.g., Aliment Pharmacol Ther, from 87.9% in 
1980 to 75.9% in 2005, OR 0.43, OR CI 0.20-0.94, P < 0.033), and of 
Americans authors correspondingly increased. The same trend generally held 
for the editorial boards of analyzed journals: the relative frequency of 
non-American board members significantly increased in five American 
journals (e.g., Am J Gastroenterol, from 4.2% in 1980 to 31.3% in 2005, OR 
10.5, OR CI 1.68-63.5, P= 0.006), and decreased in all five analyzed 
European journals. Interstate and transnational collaborations 
(coauthorship) increased in publications from 1980 to 2005 (e.g., 
transnational, from 2.8% in 1980 to 14.1% in 2005 in N Engl J Med, OR 
5.62, OR CI 3.25-9.73, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS: From 1980 to 2005, American representation in American 
gastroenterologic journals significantly declined, whereas American 
representation in European gastroenterologic journals moderately 
increased. The latter finding, together with increased transnational 
collaboration and increased international representation in editorial 
boards, suggests that increasing globalization of information, partly due 
to computers and the Internet, may be an important etiologic factor. This 
may result in an improving quality of research performed outside America. 
Other potential etiologic factors include improving standard of living 
outside America and increasing clinical volume of academic 
gastroenterologists in America. 

Addresses: William Beaumont Hosp, Div Gastroenterol, Royal Oak, MI 48073 
USA; Albert Einstein Med Ctr, Dept Internal Med, Philadelphia, PA 19141 
USA 

Reprint Address: Cappell, MS, William Beaumont Hosp, Div Gastroenterol, 
MOB 233,3601 W Thirteen Mile Rd, Royal Oak, MI 48073 USA. 

Cited Reference Count: 33 

Times Cited: 0 

Publisher: BLACKWELL PUBLISHING 

Publisher Address: 9600 GARSINGTON RD, OXFORD OX4 2DQ, OXON, ENGLAND 

ISSN: 0002-9270 

29-char Source Abbrev.: AMER J GASTROENTEROL 

ISO Source Abbrev.: Am. J. Gastroenterol. 

Source Item Page Count: 10 

Subject Category: Gastroenterology & Hepatology 

ISI Document Delivery No.: 299IT 

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