COVID-19 Associated with Upsurge in Otolaryngology Publications

by Linda Kossoff •

What has been the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the volume, quality, and impact of otolaryngology publications?

BOTTOM LINE

COVID-19 is associated with an increase in volume, citations, and attention for both COVID and non-COVID-related otolaryngology articles compared to pre-COVID articles.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an upsurge in publications elucidating its clinical features, pathophysiology, and management. Balancing rigorous, time-consuming research with the need for rapid publication has been challenging. The comprehensive impact of COVID-19 on otolaryngology research quantity and quality has yet to be formally described.

STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis.

SETTING: Division of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, D.C.

SYNOPSIS: Researchers identified 9,844 COVID and non-COVID-related articles that appeared in 15 top otolaryngology journals from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021 (pandemic period), and from the year prior (pre-pandemic period). The articles were divided into three groups: COVID (759), non-COVID (4,885), and pre-COVID (4,200). Results showed a 34.4% increase in publications from the pre-pandemic to the pandemic period. During the pandemic period, more than three times as many articles related to COVID as those on other popular topics appeared in these journals. The Journal of Laryngology & Otology and Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery had the highest proportion of COVID-related articles during the pandemic period. Seven journals contributed data on submitted and accepted publications for the three groups. These showed a 38.8% increase in number of submissions from the pre-pandemic to the pandemic period, with a 21.2% increase in accepted publications. In five of seven journals, COVID-related articles had a significantly higher rate of acceptance than non-COVID-related articles. Researchers’ metrics indicated heightened impact and attention for both COVID- and non-COVID-related otolaryngology articles during the pandemic period. Study limitations included the lack of direct analysis capability regarding articles’ level of evidence.

CITATION: Chillakuru YR, Gerhard EF, Shim T, et al. Impact of COVID-19 on otolaryngology literature. Laryngoscope. 2022;132:1364–1373.