The International Publication Rates of Abstracts Presented in The National Gynecology and Obstetrics Meetings in The Field of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility

INTRODUCTION: Among the discipline of obstetrics and gynecology, reproductive endocrinology and infertility is worldwide regarded as one of the fields witnessing the fastest scientific developments. However an analysis of relevant presentations held at the national meetings has not been performed yet. The objective of this study therefore was to determine the contribution of Turkish scientists to world literature in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility, reflecting the scientific level of the annual National Gynecology and Obstetrics Meetings.
METHODS: All presentations in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility held in the National Gynecology and Obstetrics Meetings between 2008 and 2010 were included into the study. The PubMed and Google Scholar databases were searched in order to detect the conversion of scientific studies to publication in international peer-reviewed journals. For all abstracts, parameters including institution, author details, publication time and journal titles were recorded.
RESULTS: Between 2008 and 2010 161 abstracts (19 of which were oral presentations; 11.8%) were presented in the National Gynecology and Obstetrics Meetings in the field of reproductive endocrinology and infertility. 28.6% of these abstracts (n=46) were published in international peer-reviewes journals indexed in PubMed or Google Scholar databases. Compared with posters, the publication rate of oral presentations was found to be significantly higher [23.2% vs. 68.4%; Odds ratio = 7.14, 95% confidence interval (CI): 2.52 - 20.4 p<0.001]. The mean time to publication following the congress was 17.5 ± 12.5 months. The type of institution had no significant effect on the publication rate, nevertheless the university hospitals had the highest rate (33.3%; p = 0.113).
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The overall publication rate for the abstracts concerning reproductive endocrinology and infertility presented at the National Gynecology and Obstetrics Meetings held between 2008 and 2010 was found to be higher than the rates of national meetings of other subspecialities in Turkey. In order to further enhance this rate and level it with the publication rates of international meetings new and effective methods should be developed to inspire the researchers. In order to convey Turkey-based studies to a wider range of audience worldwide, the reasons for the relatively low level of publication rate should be effectively sought and dealt with.