Analysis of the Type and Study Design of Publications in the Journal of Indian Orthodontic Society and the Changes in Trends Over 2 Decades

Background: The aim of the study was to analyze the type and study design of publications in the Journal of Indian Orthodontic Society (JIOS) and the changes in their trends from 2001 to 2020.Materials and Methods: All the online publications in JIOS were classified as background resource, original articles, and case reports. The original articles were further divided into 7 types based on study design. The annual and overall data were compiled. To evaluate the change in trends, the study period was divided into 2 block years: 2001 to 2010 and 2011 to 2020. The differences in the total number of articles and distribution of articles by type and study design were analyzed using Mann–Whitney and chi-square/Fisher’s exact tests, respectively.Results: Background resource, original articles, and case reports comprised 38.7%, 43.9%, and 17.4% of the total articles (n = 845), respectively. Non-clinical (34.5%) and cross-sectional (32.35%) studies formed the bulk of original articles. There were 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (4.58%) and 5 systematic reviews (1.35%) among the original articles. The total number of publications were higher for years in the second block compared to those in the first (Mdn of 63.5 vs 14.5, P < .001). The differences in the distribution according to type were not statistically significant [ X 2 (2) = 2.052, P = .35]. A reduction in the share of cohort studies and increase in RCTs were found in the second block (F = 19.174, P = .002).Conclusions: The higher proportion of background resource publications and those with study designs lower in the hierarchy of evidence is a matter of concern. Though slow paced, the increase in the number of RCTs and systematic reviews over the past few years is encouraging.