Predictors of Manuscript Publication: A Review of Obstetrics and Gynecology Society Meeting Abstracts

Objective The authors attempted to understand the manuscript publication rate and predictors of publication of abstracts presented at obstetrical and gynecologic society meetings. Methods In 2013, the authors obtained the text of all 2005 abstracts presented at a major generalist- and fellowship-associated society meetings. In this cross-sectional study, a search was completed for publication and identified possible predictors. Results The authors examined 1405 abstracts; the overall full-text publication rate was 54% (755/1405 publications) and the mean (SD) time to publication was 25.6 (20.8) months. Variables associated with publication in multivariable analysis included number of abstract authors (odds ratio [OR], 1.7; confidence interval [CI], 1.0-1.2), first authorship in American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists district IV (OR, 1.7; CI, 0.9-3.1), prospective design (OR, 1.7; CI, 0.9-3.1), multicenter design (OR, 2.5; CI, 1.3-4.9), and oral presentation (OR, 3.2; CI, 1.4-7.3). Abstracts from specialty meetings were more likely to have these characteristics and, thus, higher publication rates. Conclusions This study can guide project development for young researchers by informing them of key study design features associated with manuscript publication.