Open AccessLevels of Evidence in Rhinology and Skull Base Surgery Research
Author(s) -
Silver Jennifer A.,
Mascarella Marco,
Tali George,
Varshney Rickul,
Tewfik Marc A.,
Tajudeen Bobby A.,
Schwartz Joseph S.
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
otolaryngology–head and neck surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.232
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1097-6817
pISSN - 0194-5998
DOI - 10.1177/0194599820987131
Subject(s) - rhinology , otorhinolaryngology , medicine , surgery
Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of evidence of rhinology and rhinologic skull base surgery (RSBS) research and its evolution over the past decade. Study Design Review article. Setting We reviewed articles from 2007 to 2019 in 4 leading peer‐reviewed otolaryngology journals and 3 rhinology‐specific journals. Methods The articles were reviewed and levels of evidence were assigned using the Oxford Centre for Evidence‐Based Medicine 2011 guidelines. High quality was defined as level of evidence 1 or 2. Results In total, 1835 articles were reviewed in this study spanning a 13‐year period. Overall, the absolute number of RSBS publications increased significantly 22.6% per year, from 108 articles in 2007 to 481 in 2019 ( P <. 001; 95% CI, 7.9‐37.2). In 2007, only 13 articles, or 15%, were high quality, and this grew to 146 articles, or 39%, in 2019. A 14.0% per year exponential increase in the number of high‐quality publications was found to be statistically significant ( P <. 001; 95% CI, 7.2, 20.7). Overall, high‐quality publications represented just 25.8% of RSBS articles overall. There was no significant difference in quality between rhinology‐specific journals and general otolaryngology journals (χ 2 = 3.1, P =. 077). Conclusion The number of overall publications and of high‐quality RSBS publications has significantly increased over the past decade. However, the proportion of high‐quality studies continues to represent a minority of total RSBS research.