Scientific quality of COVID-19 and SARS CoV-2 publications in the highest impact medical journals during the early phase of the pandemic: A case control study

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0241826
• Publication Date: 2020-11-05T18:28:22Z
• Authors: Marko Zdravkovic; Joana Berger-Esti...; Bogdan Zdravkovic; David Berger
• Keywords: Subgroup analysis; Pandemic

Background A debate about the scientific quality of COVID-19 themed research has emerged. We explored whether evidence publications is lower when compared to nonCOVID-19 in three highest ranked medical journals. Methods searched PubMed Database from March 12 April 12, 2020 and identified 559 New England Journal Medicine, American Medical Association, The Lancet which were divided into (cases, n = 204) (controls, 355) associated content. After exclusion secondary, unauthored, response letters non-matching article types, 155 (including 13 original articles) 130 52 included comparative analysis. hierarchical level was determined for each publication between cases controls as main outcome. quantitative scoring carried out subgroup articles. numbers authors citation rates also groups. Results with higher levels on pyramid, a strong association measure (Cramer’s V: 0.452, P <0.001). 186-fold more likely be (95% confidence interval [CI] odds ratio, 7.0–47; score (maximum possible score, 28) significantly different favor (mean difference, 11.1; 95% CI, 8.5–13.7; There significant difference early rate articles that favored (median [interquartile range], 45 [30–244] vs. 2 [1–4] citations; Conclusions conclude journals below average these These findings need verified at later stage pandemic.