title: Longitudinal analysis of meta-analysis literatures in the database of ISI Web of Science.
abstract: The meta-analysis is regarded as an important evidence for making scientific decision. The database of ISI Web of Science collected a great number of high quality literatures including meta-analysis literatures. However, it is significant to understand the general characteristics of meta-analysis literatures to outline the perspective of meta-analysis. In this present study, we summarized and clarified some features on these literatures in the database of ISI Web of Science. We retrieved the meta-analysis literatures in the database of ISI Web of Science including SCI-E, SSCI, A&HCI, CPCI-S, CPCI-SSH, CCR-E, and IC. The annual growth rate, literature category, language, funding, index citation, agencies and countries/territories of the meta-analysis literatures were analyzed, respectively. A total of 95,719 records, which account for 0.38% (99% CI: 0.38%-0.39%) of all literatures, were found in the database. From 1997 to 2012, the annual growth rate of meta-analysis literatures was 18.18%. The literatures involved in many categories, languages, fundings, citations, publication agencies, and countries/territories. Interestingly, the index citation frequencies of the meta-analysis were significantly higher than that of other type literatures such as multi-centre study, randomize controlled trial, cohort study, case control study, and cases report (P<0.0001). The increasing numbers, intensively global influence and high citations revealed that the meta-analysis has been becoming more and more prominent in recent years. In future, in order to promote the validity of meta-analysis, the CONSORT and PRISMA standard should be continuously popularized in the field of evidence-based medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Transfusion, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital 200233, China.
authors.forename: Changtai
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University Hefei 230031, China.
authors.forename: Ting
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine Shanghai 200120, China.
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cao
authors.affiliation: Department of Nutrition, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital 200233, China.
authors.forename: Wenguang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital 200233, China.
authors.forename: Zhong
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine Shanghai 200433, China.
authors.forename: Jinming
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
keywords: Meta-analysis; Web of Science; databases