- Comparative analysis of the mean citation numbers (± SD) between the various subgroups in several predictors using mean difference (MD) test
| Predictors/Variables | Articles Number | Mean Cites (±SD) | MD | P-value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duration from publication (years) | ||||
| 2-5 years | 106 | 5.8(±5.7) | 10.6 | <0.0001* |
| 6-10 years | 125 | 16.4(±17.5) | ||
| Sample size | ||||
| ≤91 | 110 | 9.1(±8.8) | -3.9 | 0.0359* |
| >91 | 112 | 13(±17.3) | ||
| Study design | ||||
| RCTs | 10 | 20.9(±14.3) | -9.8 | 0.035* |
| Other designs | 221 | 11.1(±14.3) | ||
| Prospective | 17 | 6.8(±8) | 5.1 | 0.1621 |
| Other designs | 214 | 11.9(±14.8) | ||
| MAs and SRs | 12 | 28.8(±37.6) | 18.2 | <0.0001* |
| Other designs | 219 | 10.6(±11.5) | ||
| Experimental | 27 | 9.8(±9.3) | 2 | 0.5003 |
| Other designs | 204 | 11.8(±15) | ||
| Cross-sectional | 65 | 11.2(±10.7) | 0.5 | 0.8136 |
| Other designs | 166 | 11.7(±15.7) | ||
| Survey questionnaire | 15 | 13.8(±11.5) | -2.4 | 0.534 |
| Other designs | 216 | 11.4(±14.6) | ||
| Case-control | 14 | 14(±20.5) | -2.6 | 0.5146 |
| Other designs | 217 | 11.4(±14) | ||
| Retro- case series | 71 | 8.5(±10) | 4.4 | 0.0327* |
| Other designs | 160 | 12.9(±15.9) | ||
| Study level of evidence (LOE) | ||||
| I | 15 | 24.1(±31.5) | -13.5 | 0.0004* |
| Other levels | 216 | 10.6(±12) | ||
| II | 18 | 7.1(±7.9) | 4.9 | 0.1671 |
| Other levels | 213 | 12(±14.8) | ||
| III | 14 | 14(±20.5) | -2.6 | 0.5146 |
| Other levels | 217 | 11.4(±14) | ||
| IV | 144 | 10.6(±11.8) | 2.6 | 0.1849 |
| Other levels | 87 | 13.2(±17.9) | ||
| Undetermined | 42 | 11.2(±10.2) | 0.4 | 0.8718 |
| Other levels | 189 | 11.6(±15.3) | ||
| Study field | ||||
| Clinical | 204 | 11.8(±15) | 2 | 0.5003 |
| Non-clinical | 27 | 9.8(±9.3) | ||
*p-values ≤0.05 are significant