More than 100 years of neglect: a bibliometric analysis of global research on noma (cancrum oris)

Abstract

Background Research plays a significant role in quantifying and addressing the burden of disease, improving healthcare delivery and developing evidence-based policy for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Since noma is not a recognised NTD by the World Health Organization (WHO), research activity is hypothesised to be low. This study aims to understand patterns and trends of research conducted on noma, to understand the patterns of citations, highlight networks of collaboration and analyse stakeholders in noma research. Methods The SCOPUS database was selected and searched. Data analysis was conducted using the bibliometrix package for R in RStudio. Areas of interest included the distribution of research output on noma by year and location, the academic impact of publication output, mapping the major academic community and conducting a thematic analysis of high-frequency keywords. Results A total of 208 documents were identified. The annual growth rate of publications is 4.3%. The average number of citations per publication was 11.0 (rounded from 10.98) and the average citations per year per publication was 0.57. The USA was the country with the highest percentage 10.6% (n=22) of corresponding authors, followed by Nigeria (6.7% [n=14]), the UK (6.3% [n=13]) and India (5.8% [n=12]). For those papers with multiple authors, there was an average of 3.22 co-authors per document. The collaboration index was 3.3. Upon plotting collaboration networks between authors, only 11 clusters were identified (frequency and intensity of collaboration). Mapping of trending topics showed a focus on skin grafting and transplantation within the literature. Conclusions In order to progress towards eventual elimination of noma it is key that more research should be undertaken and more interest and funding should be dedicated to work on noma. Recognition of noma as an NTD by the WHO would be a first step in moving towards increased awareness.

A mixed cross-sectional and case-control study approach to investigate the risk-factors of Noma/Cancrum oris in Ethiopia

“…The HIV/AIDS pandemic increases the number of cases outside the Noma belt region and is considered to be a viable risk factor of the disease (31). Other risk factors that have been reported in several articles include the absence of breastfeeding, unsafe drinking water, limited access to high-quality health, and food security (1) (32) (33).…”

Noma: Experiences of Survivors, Opinion Leaders and Healthcare Professionals in Burkina Faso

“…Of note, because noma is present in high-poverty areas, the economic cost of its treatment (i.e., surgery, accommodation) largely overpasses household financial resources [ 6 ]. Calls for the recognition of noma as a neglected tropical disease by WHO have emerged in the recent literature [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

“…The turning point seems to have been around the turn of the century. In 2003, 14 articles were published, but by 2020, this figure had more than doubled to 34 [ 7 ].…”

“…Three systematic reviews were later published [ 7 , 8 , 23 ]. In brief, most of articles were published in the 2000s and focused on medical aspects of the diseases (aetiology, treatment) [ 7 , 8 ].…”

“…Three systematic reviews were later published [ 7 , 8 , 23 ]. In brief, most of articles were published in the 2000s and focused on medical aspects of the diseases (aetiology, treatment) [ 7 , 8 ]. Resulting from a systematic review, at least 23 countries with noma cases were identified with most of cases in the noma belt counties in West Africa [ 23 ].…”