title: Polycystic ovary syndrome: analysis of the global research architecture using density equalizing mapping.
abstract: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common cause of female infertility worldwide. Although the related research output is constantly growing, no detailed global map of the scientific architecture has so far been created encompassing quantitative, qualitative, socioeconomic and gender aspects. We used the NewQIS platform to assess all PCOS-related publications indexed between 1900 and 2014 in the Web of Science, and applied density equalizing mapping projections, scientometric techniques and economic benchmarking procedures. A total of 6261 PCOS-specific publications and 703 international research collaborations were found. The USA was identified as the most active country in total and collaborative research activity. In the socioeconomic analysis, the USA was also ranked first (25.49 PCOS-related publications per gross domestic product [GDP]/capita), followed by the UK, Italy and Greece. When research activity was related to population size, Scandinavian countries and Greece were leading the field. For many highly productive countries, gender analysis revealed a high ratio of female scientists working on PCOS with the exception of Japan. In this study, we have created the first picture of global PCOS research, which largely differs from other gynaecologic conditions and indicates that most related research and collaborations originate from high-income countries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2020 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA. Electronic address: prevention@uni-frankfurt.de.
authors.forename: Dörthe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brüggmann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Berges
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Doris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Klingelhöfer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bauer
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bendels
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Louwen
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, 2020 Zonal Ave, Los Angeles, California 90033, USA.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jaque
authors.affiliation: Institute of Occupational Medicine, Social Medicine and Environmental Medicine, Goethe-University, Theodor-Stern Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt, Germany.
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Groneberg
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D011085:Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D062206:Spatial Analysis
keywords: Density equalizing mapping; Diagnosis; Female health; PCOS; Prevention; Socioeconomic analysis