Research trends in testosterone deficiency and management: A bibliometric analysis approach to quality improvement in urology resident education

Abstract

Introduction: Previous work has demonstrated a deficiency in urology resident education when it comes to andrology and male infertility. We analyzed the top 100 most frequently cited and influential articles published on testosterone deficiency and its associated therapy, allowing trainees and clinicians to review and understand the characteristics of impactful literature for self-directed learning purposes. Methods: The ISI Web of Knowledge database was used to find articles on testosterone deficiency, hypogonadism, and replacement therapies. Relevant, peer-reviewed, English articles were included. Article details, including title, citation count, publication year, and more, were gathered. Articles were classified based on content (e.g. clinical outcomes, anatomy, and trends) using defined criteria. Results: The top 300 most cited were reviewed with 100 included. The most cited article had 774 citations, averaging 234 in the top 100. Publication years had peaks in 2003–2004 and 2006–2007. The US led in publications (56), followed by England (16), Germany (14), and Italy (13). Common affiliations included US Department of Veteran Affairs, Veterans Health Administration, RIC Research Education Clinical Center, and University of California System. Articles were categorized as LOE 2 (47), LOE 1 (22), and LOE 5 (21). Articles focused on clinical outcomes (71.7%), anatomy/biomechanics/physiology (14.1%), clinical guidelines (8.1%), and screening (4%). The “ Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism” published 26 of the top 100 cited articles. Conclusions: This analysis highlights influential articles regarding testosterone deficiency and management. The discussed articles have significant clinical and therapeutic implications for the practicing urologist which may bolster deficits in current resident education.