Chronic traumatic encephalopathy research viewed in the public domain: What makes headlines?

ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)-related publication characteristics associated with higher Altmetric scores.

Methods: A systematic review of the CTE literature was conducted using PubMed. Publications were coded for: journal impact factor (JIF); publication type (primary versus non-primary data collection); discussion of American football; contact sport-CTE association conclusion (yes versus no/neutral); and Altmetric score. Multivariable ordinal logistic regression identified predictors of higher Altmetric scores.

Results: Most of the 270 CTE-related publications did not include primary data collection (60%). The median Altmetric score was 12 (range = 0–3745). Higher Altmetric scores were associated with primary data collection [Odds ratio (OR)_Adjusted = 2.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.35–3.89] and discussing American football (OR_Adjusted = 2.11; 95%CI = 1.24–3.59). Among publications concluding contact sport-CTE associations, higher Altmetric scores were associated with higher JIF (3-point-JIF-increase OR_Adjusted = 2.11; 95%CI = 1.24–3.59); however, the association of higher Altmetric scores with higher JIF was not found among neutral publications or those concluding no contact sport-CTE associations (3-point-JIF-increase OR_Adjusted = 1.07; 95%CI = 0.94–1.22).

Conclusions: Most CTE-related publications (60%) did not involve primary data collection. Publication characteristics such as higher JIF and concluding contact sport-CTE associations were associated with higher Altmetric scores. It is important for the academic community to consider strategies to counter publication and promotion bias in the presentation of CTE literature.

KEYWORDS:

• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy
• sports
• concussion
• traumatic brain injury
• social media

Disclosure of Interest

Gary S. Solomon is a consultant for the Nashville Predators, Tennessee Titans, and the athletic departments of Tennessee Tech University and the University of Tennessee, with the fees paid to his institution. He is also a consultant to the National Football League Department of Health and Safety. The remaining authors declare that the article content was composed in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.