Ogasawara Naruaki
The Japanese Society of Internal Medicine, Japan.
Reumatologia. 2025 Apr 30;63(2):68-80. doi: 10.5114/reum/200529. eCollection 2025.
This study investigated the evolution of collaborative research in rheumatology over 3 decades (1994-2023), utilizing co-authorship network analysis to uncover key contributors, structural trends, and global collaboration patterns. The analysis aimed to provide insights into the dynamics of research cooperation and the factors influencing its development.
A total of 31,231 publications on rheumatology, indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection, were analyzed. The co-authorship network was constructed using Python (Version 3.10.5) in the PyCharm environment (Version 2022.1.3). Macro-level metrics, including network density, clustering coefficient, components, and average path length, were evaluated alongside micro-level indicators such as degree centrality, closeness centrality, and betweenness centrality to characterize the network's structure and dynamics. Additionally, temporal trends were examined to assess changes in collaboration patterns over time.
The analysis revealed an expansion in publication volume and collaboration over the 3 decades, with persistent fragmentation evidenced by low network density (below 0.0005) and numerous disconnected components. The number of active researchers and institutions participating in collaborations increased significantly, contributing to enhanced regional cooperation. Key researchers, including Nicolino Ruperto, Josef S. Smolen, and Yoshiya Tanaka, emerged as central figures, consistently facilitating knowledge exchange and collaboration. Localized, tight-knit collaboration patterns, indicated by high clustering coefficients, persisted despite limited global integration. These findings suggest that while rheumatology research networks are becoming more inclusive, significant disparities in connectivity across regions remain.
This comprehensive analysis highlights the dual trends of growth and fragmentation in rheumatology research collaboration. While local collaborations thrive, broader integration remains a challenge, underscoring the need for initiatives fostering global connectivity in the research community. Enhancing international collaboration and reducing resource gaps between regions could accelerate advancements in rheumatology research, benefiting both the scientific community and patients worldwide.
本研究调查了30年（1994 - 2023年）间风湿病领域合作研究的演变情况，利用共同作者网络分析来揭示关键贡献者、结构趋势和全球合作模式。该分析旨在深入了解研究合作的动态以及影响其发展的因素。
对Web of Science（WoS）核心合集中索引的31231篇风湿病相关出版物进行了分析。在PyCharm环境（版本2022.1.3）中使用Python（版本3.10.5）构建共同作者网络。评估了宏观层面的指标，包括网络密度、聚类系数、组件和平均路径长度，以及微观层面的指标，如度中心性、接近中心性和中介中心性，以描述网络的结构和动态。此外，还研究了时间趋势，以评估合作模式随时间的变化。
分析显示，在这30年中出版物数量和合作有所增加，但网络密度较低（低于0.0005）且存在众多不相连的组件，表明持续存在分散现象。参与合作的活跃研究人员和机构数量显著增加，促进了区域合作的加强。包括尼科利诺·鲁佩托、约瑟夫·S·斯莫伦和田中义也在内的关键研究人员成为核心人物，持续推动知识交流与合作。尽管全球整合有限，但高聚类系数表明局部紧密的合作模式依然存在。这些发现表明，虽然风湿病研究网络变得更具包容性，但各地区之间在连通性方面仍存在显著差异。
这项全面分析突出了风湿病研究合作中增长与分散并存的双重趋势。虽然局部合作蓬勃发展，但更广泛的整合仍然是一项挑战，这凸显了在研究界促进全球连通性的举措的必要性。加强国际合作并缩小地区间的资源差距可以加速风湿病研究的进展，使科学界和全球患者都受益。
