Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Author Sex and Manuscript Acceptance Rates among Pulmonary and Critical Care Journals

Abstract

Rationale The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has negatively affected women more than men and may influence the publication of non–COVID-19 research. Objectives To evaluate whether the COVID-19 pandemic is associated with changes in manuscript acceptance rates among pulmonary/critical care journals and sex-based disparities in these rates. Methods We analyzed first, senior, and corresponding author sex (female vs. male, identified by matching first names in a validated Genderize database) of manuscripts submitted to four pulmonary/critical care journals between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020. We constructed interrupted time series regression models to evaluate whether the proportion of female first and senior authors of non–COVID-19 original research manuscripts changed with the pandemic. Next, we performed multivariable logistic regressions to evaluate the association of author sex with acceptance of original research manuscripts. Results Among 8,332 original research submissions, women represented 39.9% and 28.3% of first and senior authors, respectively. We found no change in the proportion of female first or senior authors of non–COVID-19 or COVID-19 submitted research manuscripts during the COVID-19 era. Non–COVID-19 manuscripts submitted during the COVID-19 era had reduced odds of acceptance, regardless of author sex (first author adjusted OR [aOR], 0.46 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.36–0.59]; senior author aOR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.37–0.57]). Female senior authorship was associated with decreased acceptance of non–COVID-19 research manuscripts (crude rates, 14.4% [male] vs. 13.2% [female]; aOR, 0.84 [95% CI, 0.71–0.99]). Conclusions Although female author submissions were not disproportionately influenced by COVID-19, we found evidence suggesting sex disparities in manuscript acceptance rates. Journals may need to consider strategies to reduce this disparity, and academic institutions may need to factor our findings, including lower acceptance rates for non–COVID-19 manuscripts, into promotion decisions.

Gender Analysis of Journal of Perinatology Authorship During COVID-19

“…These trends spark curiosity surrounding academic productivity during the early COVID-19 pandemic. The increased publication trend during this pandemic period is noteworthy, mirrored the 36% increase in all Journal of Perinatology submissions between study periods, and was reported similarly by other journals (20)(21)(22). This nding may be re ective of work prior to the pandemic as manuscript preparation is typically the culmination of months to years of preceding research.…”

“…However, many reports cite signi cant negative pandemic impact on both professional responsibilities and personal obligations that interfere with work; concerningly, these reports show greater negative effects on women (12,(16)(17)(18)24). Though we found no change in the gender proportions of authorship between pre-pandemic and pandemic periods for the Journal of Perinatology, the literature on this topic shows mixed results (20)(21)(22)(25)(26)(27). These trends warrant attention as the pandemic wears on and its true impact on academic work remains to be seen.…”

“…Many institutions failed to produce standards for managing paid work and caregiving responsibilities during the pandemic, though many institutions recommended taking leave from work to support caregiving needs (19). Since the beginning of the pandemic, the gap in female-male authorship increased (20)(21)(22). The Journal of Perinatology, the o cial journal for the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, noted an increase in manuscript submission since the beginning of the pandemic, but the gender distribution was unknown (23).…”

Gender Disparity in Leading Authorship of Critical Care Clinical Trials: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…found that the proportion of female first and senior authors stayed the same between 2008 and 2018. Another study investigated how COVID-19 impacted the authorship of critical care research and found no considerable difference in the proportion of female first and senior authors during the COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 eras [13].…”

“…FIGURE 3: A forest plot showing gender differences in senior authorshipOR: odds ratio; CI: confidence interval; M-H: Mantel-Haenszel[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] …”