Quality and Quantity of Research Publications by Iranian Neurosurgeons: A Scopus-Based Bibliometric Analysis of the 21st Century.
Publication/Presentation Date
11-3-2026
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bibliometric analyses can clarify research productivity, collaboration, and evidence quality. Given expanding neuroscience research, improved bibliographic indexing, and the growth of neurosurgical practice in Iran, a comprehensive evaluation of Iranian neurosurgeons' publications is warranted to characterize long-term trends and guide future national research priorities.
METHODS: Iranian neurosurgeons were identified through a list obtained from the Iranian Medical Council Organization. These surgeons were verified, and their publications published through December 31, 2024, were identified through Scopus, followed by deduplication. Extracted variables included author characteristics, authorship roles, collaboration patterns, journal metrics, study design, citation counts, research topics, and levels of evidence (LOE). LOEs were classified from I (highest) to V (lowest) using an adapted Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (OCEBM) 2009 framework, and temporal trends were analyzed across three time periods (2000-2010, 2011-2020, and 2021-2024).
RESULTS: Overall, 4,338 unique publications were included. Publication output increased over time: 617 studies (2000-2010), 2,206 (2011-2020), and 1,515 (2021-2024). Tehran accounted for 58% of publications, followed by Fars, East Azerbaijan, and Razavi Khorasan. International co-authorship increased from 119 (19%) in 2000-2010 to 513 (34%) in 2021-2024 (p < 0.001). The median journal impact factor (IF) rose from 1.7 to 2.0. Most studies were level IV (40%) and level V (23%) of evidence. Among trauma-related studies, 45% were classified as Level I-II.
CONCLUSIONS: Iranian neurosurgeons' contributions to academic publications increased during the 21
First Page
125479
Last Page
125479
ISSN
1878-8769
Published In/Presented At
Ramezani, Z., Hajiqasemi, M., Nikoubin, B., Baigi, V., Pourheidar, S., Hashemabadi, Z., Shahilooy, A., Ardekani, S. S., Alinia, T., Shahrahmani, F., Khaledian, H., Raoufi, E. H., Eraghi, M. M., Haghighi, A., Bagheri, M. H., Sareh, S., Mohammadi, M., Kazemi, S. J., Harrop, J. S., Mortazavi, M. M., … Rahimi-Movaghar, V. (2026). Quality and Quantity of Research Publications by Iranian Neurosurgeons: A Scopus-Based Bibliometric Analysis of the 21st Century. World neurosurgery, 125479. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2026.125479
Disciplines
Business Administration, Management, and Operations | Health and Medical Administration | Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods
PubMedID
42977255
Department(s)
Administration and Leadership
Document Type
Article