Authorship characteristics of hematology and oncology education chapters: A comprehensive analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Achieving diversity and equity in healthcare, especially within academic and clinical spheres, poses significant challenges. This study aims to evaluate gender representation, geographical diversity among authors, and disclosure of conflicts of interest (COIs) in educational materials published by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the American Society of Hematology (ASH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive cross-sectional analysis covering all volumes of ASCO and ASH educational chapters from 2012 to 2022 and 2000 to 2022, respectively. Author data were extracted from the official websites of ASCO and ASH educational books, focusing on names, affiliations, countries of practice, COIs, and publication titles/subjects. RESULTS: Analysis of 2796 articles revealed significant trends in gender representation. Women comprised 44 % of first authors and 38 % of last authors in ASCO educational books, and 39 % of first authors and 39% of last authors in ASH educational books. Notably, there was a marked increase in female first and last authors over time across both ASCO and ASH publications (p < 0.001). Geographical diversity showed disparities, with the majority of authors affiliated with US institutions (72 % of first and last authors). International authors were less represented, with Canada, the UK, and Italy prominent among articles featuring international women authors. A substantial portion of analyzed articles disclosed COIs, mainly research funding, honoraria, and travel expenses. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest a notable rise in female authorship, potentially reflecting efforts by ASH and ASCO to promote diversity. International authorship remained stable, while COIs were prevalent, primarily involving research funding. Addressing the need for greater international engagement and improving COI reporting quality are crucial to promote inclusivity and transparency in academic publications.

Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Decline in Cognitive Function: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: We investigated whether metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with a decline in cognitive function in a cohort of middle-aged and elderly individuals without known cognitive dysfunction diseases in Qatar. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on randomly selected participants aged 40-80 years from the Qatar Biobank, with data on cognitive tests and MetS components. Participants with a history of dementia, stroke, or mental disorders were excluded. MetS was diagnosed using the NCEP-ATP III criteria and cognitive performance was assessed using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB). Two cognitive function domains were assessed. These are speed of reaction, measured using the Reaction Time (RT), and short-term visual memory, measured using the Paired Associate Learning (PAL) test. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine associations between MetS and poor speed of reaction and poor memory performance. Results: The mean age of the participants included was 49.8 years (SD 6.7). Of these, 51.9% were females and 88.0% were of Qatari nationality. Most of the 1000 participants had MetS (n=302) or 1-2 MetS components (n=523), whereas only 170 had no MetS components. There was a strong association between MetS and poor memory performance (OR 1.76, 95% CI 1.04-2.96, P=0.034), but a weaker association with poor speed of reaction (OR 1.5, 95% CI 0.89-2.50, P=0.125). Conclusion: In middle-aged and elderly individuals, MetS was strongly associated with diminished short-term visual memory, psychomotor coordination and motor speed.