Language and country preponderance trends in MEDLINE and its causes.
OBJECTIVE
The authors characterized the output of MEDLINE papers by language and country of publication during a thirty-four-year time period.


METHODS
We classified MEDLINE's journal articles by country of publication (Anglos/Non-Anglos) and language (English/Non-English) for the years 1966 and from 1970 to 2000 at five-year intervals. Eight English-speaking countries were considered Anglos. Linear regression analysis of number of papers versus time was performed.


RESULTS
The global number of papers increased linearly at a rate of 8,142 papers per year. Anglo and English papers also increased linearly (6,740 and 9,199, respectively). Journals of Non-Anglo countries accounted for 25% of the English language increase (2,438 per year). Only Non-English papers decreased at a rate of 1,056 fewer papers per year. These trends have led to overwhelming shares of English and Anglo papers in MEDLINE. In 2000, 68% of all papers were published in the 8 Anglo countries and 90% were written in English.


CONCLUSIONS
The Anglo and English preponderances appear to be a consequence of at least two phenomena: (1) editorial policy changes in MEDLINE and in some journals from Non-Anglo countries and (2) factors affecting Non-Anglo researchers in the third world (publication constraints, migration, and undersupport). These are tentative conclusions that need confirmation.
Loria
Alvar
A
Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico. aloria@quetzal.innsz.mx
Arroyo
Pedro
P
D001635:Bibliography of Medicine; D035081:Editorial Policies; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D018966:Library Materials / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends*; D016014:Linear Models; D016239:MEDLINE / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D017594:Publication Bias / Q000706:statistics & numerical data / Q000639:trends*; D012189:Retrospective Studies