Global Collaborative Trends in Otolaryngology Research: U.S. Partnerships With Low-, Middle-, and Other High-Income Countries.

OBJECTIVE

Otolaryngology-related conditions impose a significant burden on low-income countries (LICs), lower-middle-income countries (LMICs), and, at times, upper-middle-income countries (UMICs), where health care resources are limited. International research collaboration with high-income countries (HICs), like the United States, can address these disparities by advancing global health knowledge. As such, the underlying objective was to define trends of collaborative otolaryngology publications among the United States and LICs, LMICs, UMICs, and other HICs as well as assess the global distribution of these publications by region.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective database review.

SETTING

Scopus.

METHODS

A bibliometric analysis of 163 collaborative publications (2018-2024) across 9 prominent US otolaryngology journals was conducted. Collaborations were categorized by country income level using the World Bank classification. Authorship positions, specialty classifications, and publication metrics were analyzed to assess representation across income groups.

RESULTS

Publications involving LICs and LMICs were limited. LICs contributed 0.82% of authors, with no representation in significant positions, while LMICs contributed 2.07%, with 0.94% in significant positions. HICs dominated authorship, accounting for 92.54% of authors and 94.36% of significant positions. Collaborations with LICs and LMICs were mainly concentrated in specific regions, with Uganda and Egypt, respectively, being the top contributors from these categories. The majority of publications from LICs and LMICs appeared in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery and JAMA Otolaryngology.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to examine US-LIC/LMIC collaborations in otolaryngology, revealing limited inclusion of authors from these regions in key roles. Strengthening equitable partnerships is crucial to advancing global health equity in the field.