title: [Letters to the editor published in Peruvian biomedical journals indexed in SciELO-Peru 2006-2013].
abstract: This bibliometric study describes the characteristics of letters to the editor published between 2006-2013 in biomedical journals indexed in SciELO-Peru.253 letters (10.3% of total publications) were collected. Most letters (139) were in the Peruvian Journal of Experimental Medicine and Public Health, with marked increase throughout those years. 25% of letters submitted included medical student participation. 14% of authors presented with international affiliations and 27% with endogenous affiliation - common in university journals (Anales de la Facultad de Medicina, Revista Médica Herediana).The usual criteria justifying the publication of letters were: opinion of medical fact or public domain (35.6%) and discussion of results, methodological flaws or interpretation (22.9%). In biomedical journals indexed in SciELO Peru the letters to the editor comprise a percentage of publications that has increased in recent years, with low publication of letters of findings or primary data, compared with opinion or criticism.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Juan José
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Montenegro-Idrogo
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Jhon William
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mejía-Dolores
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Perú
authors.forename: Joel L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Chalco-Huamán
mesh_terms: D000043:Abstracting and Indexing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015706:Bibliometrics; D015709:Correspondence as Topic; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D010506:Periodicals as Topic; D010568:Peru; D011643:Publishing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013997:Time Factors