Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications in endocrinology and metabolism from China, Japan, and South Korea

To assess endocrinologic and metabolic research productivity in East Asia (i.e., China, Japan, and South Korea) and correlations between socioeconomic factors and endocrinologic and metabolic research productivity. Articles (except editorials, conference abstracts, letters, news, and corrections) published in 134 endocrinology and metabolism journals in 2005–2014 were screened with the Web of Science database. Total and annual numbers of articles, study designs, impact factors, citations, and articles in high-impact-factor journals were determined for China, Japan, and South Korea. Annual numbers of articles were related to socioeconomic factors for each country. In 2005–2014, there were 144,660 articles from East Asia published in endocrinology and metabolism journals: 10,190, 9470, and 3124 from Japan, China, and South Korea, respectively. Japan published the most randomized controlled trials, followed by China and South Korea, respectively. China had the most articles in high-impact-factor journals, followed by Japan and South Korea, respectively. South Korea had the highest average impact factor and number of citations. During the period studied, annual numbers of articles from China and South Korea increased remarkably (P < 0.05) but remained stable for Japan. Annual numbers of articles from China and South Korea were positively correlated with gross domestic product and expenditure on health care (P < 0.05). The increase in endocrinology and metabolism articles during 2005–2014 in China and South Korea was associated with improved socioeconomic conditions. China has made progress in scientific publication in the past decade; however, there is still room for improvement.