Productividad científica y mortalidad por cáncer en Colombia de 2000 a 2015

Abstract

Introduction: Some studies have estimated global and regional scientific productivity in cancer, as it represents an increasing morbidity to public health; this applies to in-development countries such as Colombia. The relationship between these two variables has not been explored in our country. Objective: To estimate and characterize cancer scientific productivity in Colombia and its relation to overall disease mortality and by the 6 specific sites with highest mortality rate for adult population in Colombia between the years 2000 to 2015. Methods: We carried out a temporal-trend ecological study by means of a bibliometric analysis using exhaustive literature search techniques in order to retrieve publication registries with Colombian institutional affiliations from SCOPUS database. We determined literature selection quality by evaluating interobserver agreement. Productivity and overall mortality were estimated and compared using econometric modelling. For specific cancer sites, variable trends were analyzed graphically. Results: 2645 publication records were retrieved, of which 1464 (55,3%) were selected and characterized as Colombian scientific productivity (interobserver agreement 92,96%; K=0,859 CI 95% 0,800-0,918). 79,6% of the records belonged to original or in-press articles while 49,7% embodied descriptive study designs. Median authors, institutions and citations per registry were 5, 3 and 2, respectively. The 3 mostly studied cancer specific locations were cervix, breast and stomach, but non-specific locations had the largest individual participation (23,4%). During the time period, we detected an increasing trend in scientific productivity, as opposed to decreasing overall cancer mortality trend, representing an inverse proportional relationship by means of linear regression model (correlation coefficient r=-0,958 P=0,000; R2=0,911). Considering specific cancer sites, we detected progressive mortality reductions for both sexes, except for colorectal and prostate cancer sites; in contrast, absolute scientific productivity had increased for each site, but most publications were attributed to breast and cervical cancer sites. Conclusions: Colombian cancer scientific productivity has been increasing as opposed to progressive mortality decreasing trend. However, it still has a 12 predominant descriptive approach, relatively low interinstitutional partnership and low impact to the scientific community, influenced by various political, economic and social factors. There was a correspondence between scientific productivity topics and mortality trends for the 6 most deadly main cancer sites in the country.