Classification and citation analysis of the 100 top-cited articles on adult spinal deformity since 2011: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Background: Studies of the 100 most-cited articles are reported for many subjects. However, none has analyzed the article characteristics associated with high citation frequency. This study aims to (1) graphically depict characteristics of the 100 top-cited articles addressing adult spinal deformity (ASD), (2) diagram the association between articles according to subject and major topic medical subject headings (MeSHs), and (3) investigate whether major topic MeSH correlates with article citation frequency. Methods: The 100 top-cited ASD publications since 2011 were retrieved using a PubMed Central search on May 6, 2020. Using titles and abstracts, eight subject categories were identified: surgery, conservative treatment, normal values in spinopelvic alignment, review, cervical alignment, classification, compensatory mechanism, and spine-hip relationship. Sankey diagrams were used to organize the information. Network analysis was performed according to article subject and major topic MeSHs. Pearson’s r was used to determine whether the weighted number of citations correlates with major topic MeSHs and the number of citations. Results: The average number of citations per article was 34.8 (range, 19–156). The most represented country was USA (n = 51). The most productive and highly cited journal was Spine (Phila Pa 1976) (n = 34; average, 38.2 citations per article). The most frequent subject categories and major topic MeSHs were “surgery” (n = 53) and “scoliosis” (weighted count, 9.8), while articles with the subject “compensatory” had the highest average number of citations (64.7). The most highly cited article, by Dr. F. Schwab in 2012, had 156 citations. Network analysis revealed the relationships between these articles according to major topic MeSHs. The weighted number of citations according to major topic MeSHs correlated significantly with article citation frequency (Pearson’s r, 0.57; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Multiple characteristics of the 100 top-cited ASD articles are presented in diagrams to guide evidence-based clinical decision-making in ASD.

Predicting article citations using data from 100 top-cited publications in the field of Psoriasis Vulgaris and biological agents (PVBA) since 1991: A bibliometric analysis

“…This animated dashboard has also been used in applications in other scientific fields to demonstrate entity characteristics in networks. [ 17 , 35 , 36 ] It is worth further providing knowledge and information for the readership to the Sankey diagram [ 31 , 38 , 39 ] in the future.…”

Using the alluvial plot to visualize the network characteristics of 100 top-cited articles on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) since 2011: Bibliometric analysis

“…Two studies [ 8 , 9 ] applied the alluvial to the analysis of bibliometric data. Graphs based on the alluvial are appropriate due to the categorical dimensions instead of steps (or years) on the x-axis, as stated in definitions of the alluvial plots.…”

“…In addition, the classification of subject categories using SNA is objective and unique in comparison with previous studies using manual methods [ 8 ] and document types only in PubMed. [ 9 ] However, the evidence indicates that the classification is meaningful, feasible and worthy of recommendation for future studies in relevant fields (F = 1.19, P = .320).…”

“…[ 2 , 7 ] We are interested in using these methods (e.g., programming skills combined with Sankey software) to improve the visualization of data in bibliometric analyses. [ 8 , 9 ] The network characteristics of 100 top-cited articles on attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (T100ADHD) were illustrated using a visualization technique (such as Sankey/alluvial diagrams, stacked bar charts, and parallel sets). [ 10 ]…”

Top 100 most cited articles on anterior cervical discectomy and fusion

“…The top 100 articles on ACDF were cited a mean of 131.81 ± 100.18 times (range, 66–660), which is more than the number of citations in other fields of spine surgery, such as endoscopic spine surgery research (mean, 84.4) ( 18 ), spinal disc arthroplasty research (mean, 115.1) ( 19 ), adult spinal deformity (mean, 34.8) ( 20 ), and idiopathic scoliosis (mean, 137.5) ( 21 ). This indicates that ACDF has been studied more frequently than other topics within the field of spine surgery.…”