Highlights
- •MS and NMOSD scientific productivity in the SEA was low in quantity and quality.
- •Most studies from the SEA were cross-sectional and case reports/series.
- •Several countries in SEA yielded low scores in the PlumX metrics components.
- •Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore produced the greatest number of publications.
- •% GDP for R&D was correlated with many productivity indices in the MS/NMOSD field.
Abstract
Background
Scientific productivity in the Southeast Asian (SEA) region in the field of multiple
sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (MS/ NMOSD) was hypothesized
to be low in magnitude. The aim of this study was to determine and compare MS/ NMOSD
research outputs among the SEA countries in terms of established bibliometric indices.
The association between these productivity indices and relevant country-specific socioeconomic
factors was also determined.
Methods
A systematic review was conducted to include all relevant published MS/ NMOSD studies
in the SEA indexed in MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus and CENTRAL from the inception of these
databases to August 1, 2019. Quantity of research productivity was measured in terms
of the total published documents. Quality of research impact was evaluated by assessing
the study designs of the published reports, publications in journals with impact factor
(IF) and PlumX Metrics (citations, usage, captures, mentions and social medias). Population
size, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, percentage (%) of GDP allocated to
research and development (R&D), and the total number of neurologists reported in each
country were obtained from reliable published data.
Results
Out of 3,547 articles identified, only 142 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria;
therefore, the total number of publications in the SEA region related to MS/ NMOSD
was deemed low in quantity. Most studies were cross-sectional and case reports/ series;
hence, most studies offered low level of evidence. Since the aggregate scores in citations,
usage, captures, mentions, and social medias in PlumX Metrics and publications in
journals with IF were low, the overall quality of the published articles was considered
low. Thailand (57 articles), Malaysia (40) and Singapore (29) contributed to the majority
of publications on the topic-. GDP per capita was statistically correlated with usage.
Percent GDP for R&D was positively correlated with total publications, usage, captures
and social mediaindices.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the scientific impact of MS/ NMOSD in the SEA was considered low in
quantity and quality. This study must encourage researchers in the SEA to produce
greater volumes of high-quality publications in this particular field and motivate
governments to increase % GDP for R&D for the benefit of patients suffering fromthese
rare and disabling conditions.
Keywords
Abbreviations:
CENTRAL (Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials), CNS (Central nervous system), GDP (Gross domestic product), IF (Impact factor), IMF (International Monetary Fund), JCR (Journal Citation Reports), MS/ NMOSD (Multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder), PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses), R&D (Research and development), SEA (Southeast Asia/ Southeast Asian)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 18, 2019
Accepted:
November 17,
2019
Received in revised form:
November 11,
2019
Received:
September 21,
2019
Identification
Copyright
© 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
