Cheng, T; Zhang, XL. 2010. Growing Trend of China's Contribution to the Field of Rheumatology 2000-2009: A Survey of Chinese Rheumatology Research. JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY 37 (11): 2390-2394

[Eugene Garfield]

Cheng, T; Zhang, XL. 2010. Growing Trend of China's Contribution to the Field 
of Rheumatology 2000-2009: A Survey of Chinese Rheumatology Research. 
JOURNAL OF RHEUMATOLOGY 37 (11): 2390-2394..

Author Full Name(s): Cheng, Tao; Zhang, Xianlong
Language: English
Document Type: Article

Author Keywords: RHEUMATOLOGY; CHINA; TAIWAN; HONG KONG; RESEARCH; 
CLINICAL TRIAL
KeyWords Plus: IMPACT FACTOR; ARTHRITIS; COUNTRIES; MEDICINE; 
ASSOCIATION; POPULATION; JOURNALS; GENE

Abstract: Objective. In the past decade, rheumatology in China has achieved 
great advances. However, scientific publications on rheumatology in the 3 
major regions of China - Mainland (ML), Hong Kong (HK), and Taiwan (TW) - 
are unknown. We assessed the performance of rheumatology research in China 
from 2000 to 2009.
Methods. Twenty-two journals included in the rheumatology category of the 
Journal Citation Reports database were selected. We analyzed the following 
measures for 2000-2009: (1) total number of articles originating from ML, HK, 
and TW; (2) impact factor (IF) of those articles; (3) total number of citations 
and average number of citations per article; and (4) number of articles about 
clinical trials, randomized controlled trials (RCT), and case reports. We also 
noted the total number of articles from the 3 regions published in 10 top-
ranking journals.
Results. There were 788 articles for the 3 regions of China, including 259 from 
ML, 372 from TW, and 157 from HK, with a positive trend between the years 
2000 to 2009. From 2006 on, published articles from ML exceeded those from 
HK, and in 2008, published articles from ML exceeded those from TW. HK had 
the highest average IF and highest average citations of each article compared 
with articles from ML and TW. TW published the most RCT, clinical trials, and 
case reports, as well as the most articles in the 10 top-ranking journals in the 
last decade, followed by ML and HK.
Conclusion. Chinese contributions to the field of rheumatology have increased 
rapidly since 2000, particularly from ML. HK had the highest quality research 
output according to average IF and average citations per article. (First Release 
September 1 2010; J Rheumatol 2010;37:2390-4; doi:10.3899/jrheum.100524)

Addresses: [Cheng, Tao; Zhang, Xianlong] Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ, Sch Med, 
Dept Orthopaed, Shanghai Peoples Hosp 6, Shanghai 200233, Peoples R China

Reprint Address: Zhang, XL, Shanghai Jiao Tong Univ, Sch Med, 600 Yisan Rd, 
Shanghai 200233, Peoples R China.

E-mail Address: zhangxianlong2009 at hotmail.com
ISSN: 0315-162X
DOI: 10.3899/jrheum.100524
URL (not open access): http://www.jrheum.org/content/37/11/2390.abstract