Factors associated with successful publication of research abstracts presented at the Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists annual meetings 2015-2017: a bibliometric analysis

Background: Publication in a scientific journal is the desired outcome of the research cycle. However, previous anesthesiology research has not thoroughly examined factors predictive of subsequent publication after a meeting presentation. We aimed to assess the rate of peer-reviewed publication of abstracts presented at the Japanese Society of Anesthesiologists (JSA) annual meetings and identify factors associated with successful publication.

Methods: This study included all abstracts presented at JSA meetings from 2015 to 2017. The outcome of interest was subsequent publication of abstracts in journals included in the MEDLINE database within 36 months after presentation. Differences between published and non-published abstracts were evaluated.

Results: Among the 2,418 eligible abstracts, 487 were published within 3 years (publication rate, 20.1%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that factors independently associated with subsequent publication were: presentation style (poster discussions: adjusted odds ratios (AOR) 1.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.31-2.20; excellent abstracts: AOR 2.82, 95% CI 1.98-4.01); basic research (AOR 4.39, 95%CI 3.23-5.96), male first author (AOR 1.41, 95% CI 1.09-1.81); region (Kansai: AOR 2.16, 95% CI 1.57-2.99; abroad: AOR 4.57, 95% CI 2.58-8.09); facility characteristics (private university: AOR 3.97, 95% CI 2.60-6.08; public university: AOR 3.53, 95%CI 2.35-5.30; medical company: AOR 16.70, 95% CI 3.75-74.46); and number of collaborating facilities (two: AOR 1.50, 95% CI 1.15-1.97; three: AOR 1.83, 95% CI 1.23-2.73; four: AOR 2.40, 95% CI 1.27-4.54).

Conclusions: Approximately one-fifth of abstracts presented at JSA meetings are published in peer-reviewed journals within 3 years. Factors independently associated with subsequent full publication are presentation style, basic research, male gender, specific region, affiliation characteristics, and number of collaborating facilities. Our data should stimulate further studies that elucidate ways to assist the full publication process of meeting abstracts.

Abstract publication rate; Academic conference; Bibliometric analysis; Gender gap; MEDLINE database

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