Trends and Disparities in Female Authorship in Radiology Publications: A Bibliometric Analysis Using Natural Language Processing.

RATIONALE AND

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate female representation in first and last authorship across selected radiology journals, including temporal trends, variations across journals, geographic differences, and the association between first and last authorship.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

A retrospective bibliometric analysis was performed of 10 selected radiology journals indexed in MEDLINE from 2016 to 2025 for female representation in first and last authorship. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests, Cochran-Armitage trend tests, and logistic regression models to assess differences and temporal trends.

RESULTS

A total of 34,829 publications across 10 journals met the inclusion criteria. Females accounted for 11.4% to 41.4% of first authorship positions, and 10.6% to 35.6% of last authorship positions. Female representation in first authorships increased from 31.6% in 2016 to 37.4% in 2025 (χ² = 39.8, p < 0.001), and in last authorship increased from 22.9% in 2016 to 27.3% in 2025 (χ² = 36.4, p < 0.001). Publications with female last authors were significantly more likely to have female first authors (51.7% vs. 28.4%; adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.57; 95% confidence interval, 2.44-2.70; p < 0.001), and this association strengthened over time (interaction OR per year, 1.04; p < 0.001). Internationally, female first authorship ranged from 18.7% (Japan) to 48.2% (South Korea), whereas female last authorship ranged from 7.3% (Japan) to 31.5% (United States).

CONCLUSION

Female authorship in general radiology journals has increased over the past decade, yet persistent disparities remain, particularly in senior authorship positions and across geographic regions. Female senior authorship is associated with female first authorship, underscoring the importance of women in leadership roles for promoting gender equity in academic radiology.