Aim: To evaluate number and quality of publications in
gastroenterology, hepatology and digestive endoscopy
from Western Europe (Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany,
Great Britain, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden,
Switzerland), Japan and USA over a recent 5-year
period. Methods: We screened by computer for full liver/
gastrointestinal-related articles and reviews the top 40%
of journals (according to the annual rating of the SCI
Journal Citation Reports; Institute for Scientific Information
database) in most clinical and basic science disciplines
in the years 1992–1996. To be credited with an article,
a given country had to be the site of the first institution
where the work was conducted. Papers were rated
according to the impact factor of the Institute for Scientific
Information and to the ratio impact factor/mean
European impact factor. Data were also normalized for
nondefense research and development expenditure. Results
and Conclusions: As randomly tested, the computer
search had an error of B 5–10%. In Europe, Great Britain
achieved the highest total impact factor and the highest
number of papers. Most of the British impact factor
came from publications in British journals. The total USA
impact factor exceeded that of Europe by 20%. The average
impact factor for a single paper was highest for the
USA and, in Europe, for Germany. The temporal trend of
total impact factor showed Spain improving by 9% per
year, with Germany and Italy also displaying a substantial
growth. Expressed per funds allocated in nondefense
research and development, Great Britain and the USA
had the highest cumulative impact factor.
