Publication rate and publication probability of abstracts presented at the German Cancer Congress in 2000 and 2010

Abstract

Background: Scientific results as presented at conferences need to be published in journals so that the scientific community can become aware of the results. The aim of our study was to analyze the peer-review publication rate of abstracts presented at two German Cancer Congresses, based on various factors.Methods: We investigated 1,086 abstracts published by the German Cancer Congress in 2000 and 2010 in relation to the publication in peer-reviewed journals (PubMed publication) within the subsequent . Furthermore, we studied potential determinants of PubMed publications. For statistical analysis we used Kaplan-Meier estimates and Cox regression (hazard ratios, HR, and 95% confidence intervals).Results: Overall 456 abstracts (42%) were published as PubMed publications, 86 (8%) before the congresses and 370 (34%) after the congresses. The median time to PubMed publication was 16.2 months among 370 post-published abstracts. Abstracts presented as oral presentations had a shorter time to PubMed publication than abstracts presented as posters (14.2 months vs. 16.8 months respectively). In comparison to cell experiments, randomized controlled trials and animal experiments had a higher PubMed publication rate (HR=2.2, 95%CI 1.4–3.4 and HR=2.6, 95%CI 1.6–4.4 respectively). In comparison to abstracts including work in progress, abstracts that included finalized study results had a higher publication rate (HR=1.6, 95%CI 1.2–2.3).Discussion: Our study is the largest study of oncology congresses examining the publication rates and associated determinants. The publication rate was similar to other congresses. There is a considerable potential of publication bias as 58% of congress abstracts were not followed by a peer-reviewed full paper publication within 6 years.

Keywords

• german cancer congress
• publication rate
• peer review