Mapping sex and gender in the landscape of spinal cord injury research: a bibliometric analysis and research framework.

STUDY

DESIGN

Bibliometric analysis and conceptual framework.

OBJECTIVES

To provide a framework for prioritizing sex/gender research in the field of spinal cord injury (SCI), which can help inform and develop future research directions benefiting both women and men affected by SCI.

SETTING

Not applicable

METHODS

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection to identify relevant articles. Data was analyzed using the Bibliometrix and VoSviewer tools to provide a macroscopic overview of sex/gender research trends in the field of SCI research. A framework was developed based on the results of bibliometric analyses and literature scoping, engaging professionals with backgrounds in gender medicine, translational medicine, psychology, clinical epidemiology, SCI, and endocrinology.

RESULTS

A total of 1031 documents were included in the analyses. We observed a steady increase in sex/gender related research from 2012, with an annual growth rate of 9.64%. Rehabilitation, epidemiology, obesity, depression, and sex hormones were identified as fundamental and critical topics for advancing sex and gender research in the context of SCI. Among a randomly selected articles, a significant proportion of studies interchangeably used the terms sex and gender. Therefore, we discuss the key overarching themes and terminology that are essential for any study exploring the relevance of sex and gender in health research. We developed a three-step research framework for considering and incorporating sex and gender in research, using SCI as a case in point.

CONCLUSION

The major principles in current paper can benefit everyone interested in studying sex/gender in the context of health in complex and disabling conditions.