Levels of evidence and journal impact factor in oral and maxillofacial surgery: a 15-year follow-up

The level of evidence in prosthodontics in relation to author's characteristics: An analysis of three leading prosthodontics journals

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the level of evidence (LOE) characteristics and associated factors that change over time in three leading prosthodontics journals.

Materials and methods

Articles published in The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (JPD), International Journal of Prosthodontics (IJP), and Journal of Prosthodontics (JP) in 2013 and 2020 were reviewed by eight independent reviewers. After applying exclusion and inclusion criteria, the number of authors, the corresponding author's educational degree, corresponding author's origin in each clinical research article were recorded. The included articles were rated by reviewers according to the level of evidence criteria and proposed level of evidence-associated factors. Descriptive statistics, univariable, and binary logistic regression analysis were performed to investigate dependent variables and potentially associated factors. All independent variables with a significant effect were analyzed by using a multivariable test. The entry and exit alpha level were set at αE = 0.15. The statistical significance was set at α = 0.05.

Results

A total of 439 articles from 3 selected journals for the years studied met the inclusion criteria. The percentages of level 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 articles were 2.7 %, 11.4 %, 9.6 %, 13.4 % and 62.9 %, respectively. Univariable analysis results demonstrated significant associations related to the number of authors (P = 0.005), the corresponding author's educational degree (P = 0.022), and the corresponding author's geographic origin (P = 0.042). Multivariable analysis results demonstrated significant associations related to the number of authors (P = 0.002), and the corresponding author's geographic origin (P = 0.014).

Conclusions

The number of authors, CA degree, and CA origin had a significant association with the LOE of included prosthodontic studies. Although there was an increase in the number of publications from 2013 to 2020, the level of evidence trend shows no improvement over the years.

The online attention analysis on orthognathic surgery research

OBJECTIVES

Altmetrics is one of the fields of bibliometrics that seeks to assess the impact and interest of a given subject through Internet users. The aim of this study is to make an altmetric analysis of the orthognathic surgery literature.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using Dimensions app up to December 2023. A list of the 100 most mentioned articles on the topic was compiled. A Google Trends search was performed with same strategy to visualize important data regarding internet search. Charts and tables were created using Microsoft Excel and VOSviewer software to allow bibliometric visualization.

RESULTS

There was a very poor correlation between the number of mentions and the number of citations (r = 0.0202). Most articles discussed on technical innovations associated to orthognathic surgery, majority related to virtual planning (n = 26). Other topics considered interesting to internet readers were complications (n = 18), surgical technique (n = 14), and psychological aspects/quality of life (n = 13).

CONCLUSION

Online interest in orthognathic surgery closely aligns with the level of academic interest but is also influenced by factors such as location and economic status. The internet is a powerful tool for disseminating scientific research to a broad audience, making it more accessible and engaging than traditional academic channels.

Knowledge mapping and research trends of distraction osteogenesis in oral and maxillofacial surgery

BACKGROUND

Distraction osteogenesis (DO) has found extensive use in oral and maxillofacial surgery for correcting maxillofacial deformities due to its numerous advantages. However, comprehensive scientific and visual analyses of this field on a global scale are rare. Therefore, this study aims to provide a summary of the global trends and current status of DO in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

METHOD

Publications concerning DO in oral and maxillofacial surgery were comprehensively searched and selected from the Web of Science Core Collection(WOSCC) database. We evaluated the annual contributions from institutions, journals, countries, and authors using bibliometric analysis software.

RESULTS

A total of 541 publications were included in this study. The USA played a predominant role in this field, leading in both publication volume and international collaboration. Harvard University and the University of Hong Kong secured the top position in total publications, while the University of Texas System topped the list in total citations within this field. The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery emerged as the primary contributing journal, and Cheung LX emerged as the primary contributing author in the field of distraction osteogenesis (DO) in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Keywords such as 'orthognathic surgery,' 'reconstruction,' and 'osteogenesis' are anticipated to be prominent topics in future research.

CONCLUSION

Between 1995 and 2023, there has been rapid growth in the total number of publications within the field of distraction osteogenesis (DO) in oral and maxillofacial surgery. The USA stands out as the predominant country in this field. Surgeries, orthognathic surgery, and osteogenesis have emerged as prominent topics. The findings of our study offer valuable insights for scholars seeking to identify research hotspots and chart the developmental direction of DO in oral and maxillofacial surgery.

Level of evidence analysis of the Saudi Dental Journal: A bibliometric analysis of publications from 2012 to 2021

Objectives

The Level of Evidence (LOE) ranking system is used to measure the methodological quality of research. This study aimed to analyze and evaluate the trends of LOEs in articles published in the Saudi Dental Journal (SDJ) between 2012 and 2021.

Methodology

The bibliometric details of all articles published from 2012 to 2021 were extracted from the SDJ website. All articles, expect editorials, were included in the analysis. The articles were divided based on LOEs, dental specialties, number of authors, and centers. The citation metrics were obtained from Google Scholar, and the statistical analysis was performed using JMP Pro 15.2.0 software.

Results

Five hundred twenty-two articles were selected for analysis. They had an average of 21.19 citations per article, and a growing trend in the number of articles was observed. Authors from 40 countries contributed to the articles, with the most contributions from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Most articles (n = 269; 51.53%) were LOE IV and V, while a low proportion (5.56%) were LOE I articles. Aside from miscellaneous articles, periodontics composed most of the LOE I studies, followed by endodontics, and oral and maxillofacial Surgery (OMFS). Orthodontics had the highest number of LOE II studies, pediatric dentistry had the most LOE IV, and prosthodontics had the most LOE V studies. No significant correlations were found between LOE and the number of authors or centers. However, a significant correlation was found in the distribution of LOE contributed by academic institutes.

Conclusion

The study results highlight that most articles were LOE IV and V, whereas nominal LOE I articles were found. Furthermore, there is a need to encourage dental scientists to carry out high-quality evidence studies. Professional dental societies can play a pivotal role in this regard.

Analysis of the 100 most cited articles on ameloblastoma

OBJECTIVES

An increasing number of articles are published each year. The aim of this is to provide a list of the 100 most cited articles on the subject of ameloblastoma.

METHODS

A bibliographic search was performed on Google Scholar (GS), Microsoft Academic (MA), and Dimensions for ameloblastoma. A ranking was created in order of citation density. Graphical representations of keywords and authorship were created with VOSviewer. Statistical analysis was performed and only results with a 95% confidence interval were considered significant.

RESULTS

A helpful list of top 100 articles was developed to help professionals in a variety of ways. Some curiosities are discussed about this scientometric analysis in ameloblastoma articles.

CONCLUSIONS

A useful list of the top 100 most cited articles on ameloblastoma has been provided. Bibliometric and altmetric analysis using Google Scholar, Microsoft Academic, and Dimensions is a free and excellent tool, not only as a citation manager but also as a study reference.

Oral and maxillofacial literature from Middle East: a bibliometric analysis and list of top-100 most cited articles

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this work is to perform a bibliometric analysis on Middle Eastern oral and maxillofacial surgery through years and to compare the data with previous studies. A list of the top 100 most cited articles was generated.

METHODS

A Pubmed bibliographic search for literature journals specialized in oral and maxillofacial surgery in the Middle East was performed. A graphic representation of authorship and keywords was created with VOSviewer. Mendeley and Microsoft Excel were used for tabulation and data visualization. A list of the top 100 most cited articles was created using Web of Science. Some statistical tests were performed with a 95% confidence interval, which was considered significant.

RESULTS

A total of 6,536 articles were retrieved in fifteen selected oral and maxillofacial journals. A moderate correlation between number of publications and total population (R = 0.6052), low correlation with area (R = 0.302291), and a negligible correlation with the Human Development Index (HDI) were found (R = 0.1747). A disparity can be seen in the number of publications by country, leaded by Turkey (46.30%), Israel and Iran (13.68% each). The more common studied topic was oral surgery (25.77%), maxillofacial trauma (16.13%) and oral pathology (10.25%).

CONCLUSIONS

A useful list of the top 100 most cited articles on oral and maxillofacial surgery from Middle East has been created. Middle East publications on oral and maxillofacial surgery can be considered high quality (IF = 1.879). Some issues on performing an adequate selecting of MeSH keywords were discussed.

Level of evidence and characteristics of clinical studies published in leading prosthodontics journals

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Data on the level of evidence and the characteristics of studies published in peer-reviewed prosthodontic journals are lacking.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics and level of evidence (LOE) scores of studies published in 3 leading peer-reviewed prosthodontic journals.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Clinical studies published in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry (JPD), the Journal of Prosthodontics (JP), and the International Journal of Prosthodontics (IJP) in 2013 and 2020 were included in the analysis. Abstracts, letters to the editor, book reviews, and animal and laboratory studies were excluded from the investigation. For each study, design, type and LOE scores (Levels 1 to 5), publication year, impact factor (IF) of the journals, geographic origins of the first and corresponding authors, and funding status were recorded. Level 1 and Level 2 were defined as high evidence (HE), and Level 3, Level 4, and Level 5 were defined as low evidence (LE). Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed (α=.05).

RESULTS

Among the 439 studies included in the analysis, the proportion of HE and LE studies was 14.1% and 85.9%, respectively. According to univariate and multivariate analysis results, year of publication (P=.010 and P=.029), geographic origin of the corresponding author (P<.001), and funding status (P<.001 and P=.002) were significantly associated with the LOE of a study. However, the journal IF was not associated with LOE (P=.328).

CONCLUSIONS

Although the number of HE studies in 3 leading prosthodontic journals has increased over time, the total number was still limited compared with LE studies. A further improvement in the overall LOE of clinical studies in prosthodontics is needed.