Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Rheumatology International 11/2011

01-11-2011 | Review Article

Writing a narrative biomedical review: considerations for authors, peer reviewers, and editors

Authors: Armen Yuri Gasparyan, Lilit Ayvazyan, Heather Blackmore, George D. Kitas

Published in: Rheumatology International | Issue 11/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Review articles comprehensively covering a specific topic are crucial for successful research and academic projects. Most editors consider review articles for special and regular issues of journals. Writing a review requires deep knowledge and understanding of a field. The aim of this review is to analyze the main steps in writing a narrative biomedical review and to consider points that may increase the chances of success. We performed a comprehensive search through MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science using the following keywords: review of the literature, narrative review, title, abstract, authorship, ethics, peer review, research methods, medical writing, scientific writing, and writing standards. Opinions expressed in the review are also based on personal experience as authors, peer reviewers, and editors.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Gasparyan AY, Banach M (2009) A medium of science communication in our times. Arch Med Sci 5:1–2 Gasparyan AY, Banach M (2009) A medium of science communication in our times. Arch Med Sci 5:1–2
3.
go back to reference Gasparyan AY (2010) Thoughts on impact factors and editing of medical journals. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 9:2–5PubMed Gasparyan AY (2010) Thoughts on impact factors and editing of medical journals. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 9:2–5PubMed
4.
go back to reference Werbin N (2005) [Review articles–to write, to read or to throw away?]. Harefauh 144:558–560, 598 (Hebrew) Werbin N (2005) [Review articles–to write, to read or to throw away?]. Harefauh 144:558–560, 598 (Hebrew)
5.
go back to reference Habibi E, Mirhosseini Z, Majidi M (2010) Medical publications (2002–2009) of islamic countries; a Medline-based study compared to non-islamic countries. Iran J Med Sci 35:226–235 Habibi E, Mirhosseini Z, Majidi M (2010) Medical publications (2002–2009) of islamic countries; a Medline-based study compared to non-islamic countries. Iran J Med Sci 35:226–235
6.
go back to reference Smith R (2006) The trouble with medical journals. J R Soc Med 99:115–119 Smith R (2006) The trouble with medical journals. J R Soc Med 99:115–119
8.
go back to reference Jacobs A, Wager E (2005) European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) guidelines on the role of medical writers in developing peer-reviewed publications. Curr Med Res Opin 21:317–322PubMedCrossRef Jacobs A, Wager E (2005) European Medical Writers Association (EMWA) guidelines on the role of medical writers in developing peer-reviewed publications. Curr Med Res Opin 21:317–322PubMedCrossRef
10.
go back to reference Moore A (2010) What’s in a title? A two-step approach to optimisation for man and machine: writing good titles is a crucial part of optimising articles’ chances of being peer reviewed, and later found in the literature via Google: here are some tips. Bioessays 32:183–184PubMedCrossRef Moore A (2010) What’s in a title? A two-step approach to optimisation for man and machine: writing good titles is a crucial part of optimising articles’ chances of being peer reviewed, and later found in the literature via Google: here are some tips. Bioessays 32:183–184PubMedCrossRef
11.
go back to reference Luo YH (2010) How to write an effective English title for an andrological paper? Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 16:99–105 Luo YH (2010) How to write an effective English title for an andrological paper? Zhonghua Nan Ke Xue 16:99–105
12.
go back to reference Christensen NB, Kume H, Autorino R (2009) How to write titles and abstracts for readers. Int J Urol 16:2–3PubMedCrossRef Christensen NB, Kume H, Autorino R (2009) How to write titles and abstracts for readers. Int J Urol 16:2–3PubMedCrossRef
14.
go back to reference Panoulas VF, Metsios GS, Pace AV, John H, Treharne GJ, Banks MJ, Kitas GD (2008) Hypertension in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 47:1286–1298CrossRef Panoulas VF, Metsios GS, Pace AV, John H, Treharne GJ, Banks MJ, Kitas GD (2008) Hypertension in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 47:1286–1298CrossRef
15.
17.
go back to reference Keiserman B, da Silva LF, Keiserman MW, von Mühlen CA, Staub HL (2010) Lupoid sclerosis. Rheumatol Int 30:431–434PubMedCrossRef Keiserman B, da Silva LF, Keiserman MW, von Mühlen CA, Staub HL (2010) Lupoid sclerosis. Rheumatol Int 30:431–434PubMedCrossRef
18.
go back to reference Hasani-Ranjbar S, Nayebi N, Moradi L, Mehri A, Larijani B, Abdollahi M (2010) The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia; a systematic review. Curr Pharm Des 16:2935–2947PubMed Hasani-Ranjbar S, Nayebi N, Moradi L, Mehri A, Larijani B, Abdollahi M (2010) The efficacy and safety of herbal medicines used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia; a systematic review. Curr Pharm Des 16:2935–2947PubMed
19.
go back to reference Ligthart SA, van Charante EP, Van Gool WA, Richard E (2010) Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors to prevent cognitive decline and dementia: a systematic review. Vasc Health Risk Manag 6:775–785PubMedCrossRef Ligthart SA, van Charante EP, Van Gool WA, Richard E (2010) Treatment of cardiovascular risk factors to prevent cognitive decline and dementia: a systematic review. Vasc Health Risk Manag 6:775–785PubMedCrossRef
20.
go back to reference Yao Q, Altman RD, Brahn E (2009) Periostitis and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy: report of 2 cases and review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum 38:458–466PubMedCrossRef Yao Q, Altman RD, Brahn E (2009) Periostitis and hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy: report of 2 cases and review of the literature. Semin Arthritis Rheum 38:458–466PubMedCrossRef
21.
go back to reference Rashid-Farokhi F, Cheraghvandi A, Masjedi MR (2009) Pheochromocytoma crisis due to glucocorticoid administration: a case report and review of the literature. Arch Iran Med 12:190–194PubMed Rashid-Farokhi F, Cheraghvandi A, Masjedi MR (2009) Pheochromocytoma crisis due to glucocorticoid administration: a case report and review of the literature. Arch Iran Med 12:190–194PubMed
22.
go back to reference Trapani S, Mariotti P, Resti M, Nappini L, de Martino M, Falcini F (2010) Severe hemorrhagic bullous lesions in Henoch Schonlein purpura: three pediatric cases and review of the literature. Rheumatol Int 30:1355–1359PubMedCrossRef Trapani S, Mariotti P, Resti M, Nappini L, de Martino M, Falcini F (2010) Severe hemorrhagic bullous lesions in Henoch Schonlein purpura: three pediatric cases and review of the literature. Rheumatol Int 30:1355–1359PubMedCrossRef
23.
go back to reference Kornerup KN, Page CP (2007) The role of platelets in the pathophysiology of asthma. Platelets 18:319–328PubMedCrossRef Kornerup KN, Page CP (2007) The role of platelets in the pathophysiology of asthma. Platelets 18:319–328PubMedCrossRef
24.
go back to reference Eleftheriadis T, Lawson BR (2009) Toll-like receptors and kidney diseases. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 8:191–201PubMed Eleftheriadis T, Lawson BR (2009) Toll-like receptors and kidney diseases. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 8:191–201PubMed
25.
go back to reference Salari Sharif P, Abdollahi M (2010) The role of platelets in bone remodeling. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 9:393–399 Salari Sharif P, Abdollahi M (2010) The role of platelets in bone remodeling. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 9:393–399
26.
go back to reference Woollard KJ, Chin-Dusting J (2007) Therapeutic targeting of p-selectin in atherosclerosis. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 6:69–74PubMedCrossRef Woollard KJ, Chin-Dusting J (2007) Therapeutic targeting of p-selectin in atherosclerosis. Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 6:69–74PubMedCrossRef
27.
go back to reference Cocco G, Chu DC, Pandolfi S (2010) Colchicine in clinical medicine. A guide for internists. Eur J Intern Med 21:503–508PubMedCrossRef Cocco G, Chu DC, Pandolfi S (2010) Colchicine in clinical medicine. A guide for internists. Eur J Intern Med 21:503–508PubMedCrossRef
28.
go back to reference Leaf A, Kang JX, Xiao YF (2008) Fish oil fatty acids as cardiovascular drugs. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 6:1–12PubMedCrossRef Leaf A, Kang JX, Xiao YF (2008) Fish oil fatty acids as cardiovascular drugs. Curr Vasc Pharmacol 6:1–12PubMedCrossRef
29.
go back to reference Hosseini-Tabatabaei A, Abdollahi M (2008) Potassium channel openers and improvement of toxic stress: do they have role in the management of inflammatory bowel disease? Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 7:129–135PubMedCrossRef Hosseini-Tabatabaei A, Abdollahi M (2008) Potassium channel openers and improvement of toxic stress: do they have role in the management of inflammatory bowel disease? Inflamm Allergy Drug Targets 7:129–135PubMedCrossRef
30.
31.
32.
go back to reference Kitas GD, Erb N (2003) Tackling ischaemic heart disease in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 42:607–613CrossRef Kitas GD, Erb N (2003) Tackling ischaemic heart disease in rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatology (Oxford) 42:607–613CrossRef
33.
go back to reference Gasparyan AY, Watson T, Lip GY (2008) The role of aspirin in cardiovascular prevention: implications of aspirin resistance. J Am Coll Cardiol 51:1829–1843PubMedCrossRef Gasparyan AY, Watson T, Lip GY (2008) The role of aspirin in cardiovascular prevention: implications of aspirin resistance. J Am Coll Cardiol 51:1829–1843PubMedCrossRef
34.
go back to reference Distler JH, Beyer C, Schett G, Lüscher TF, Gay S, Distler O (2009) Endothelial progenitor cells: novel players in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. Arthritis Rheum 60:3168–3179PubMedCrossRef Distler JH, Beyer C, Schett G, Lüscher TF, Gay S, Distler O (2009) Endothelial progenitor cells: novel players in the pathogenesis of rheumatic diseases. Arthritis Rheum 60:3168–3179PubMedCrossRef
35.
go back to reference Ben-Chetrit E, Touitou I (2009) Familial Mediterranean fever in the world. Arthritis Rheum 61:1447–1453PubMedCrossRef Ben-Chetrit E, Touitou I (2009) Familial Mediterranean fever in the world. Arthritis Rheum 61:1447–1453PubMedCrossRef
36.
go back to reference Hartley J (2004) Current findings from research on structured abstracts. J Med Libr Assoc 92:368–371PubMed Hartley J (2004) Current findings from research on structured abstracts. J Med Libr Assoc 92:368–371PubMed
37.
go back to reference Salari Sharif P, Abdollahi M, Larijani B (2010) Current, new and future treatments of osteoporosis. Rheumatol Int 31:289–300 Salari Sharif P, Abdollahi M, Larijani B (2010) Current, new and future treatments of osteoporosis. Rheumatol Int 31:289–300
38.
go back to reference Vila PM, Zafar MU, Badimon JJ (2009) Platelet reactivity and nonresponse to dual antiplatelet therapy: a review. Platelets 20:531–538PubMedCrossRef Vila PM, Zafar MU, Badimon JJ (2009) Platelet reactivity and nonresponse to dual antiplatelet therapy: a review. Platelets 20:531–538PubMedCrossRef
39.
go back to reference Cleary M, Hunt GE, Horsfall J (2009) Conducting efficient literature searches. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 47:34–41 Cleary M, Hunt GE, Horsfall J (2009) Conducting efficient literature searches. J Psychosoc Nurs Ment Health Serv 47:34–41
40.
go back to reference La Regina M, Gasparyan AY, Orlandini F, Prisco D (2010) Behçet’s disease as a model of venous thrombosis. Open Cardiovasc Med J 4:71–77PubMed La Regina M, Gasparyan AY, Orlandini F, Prisco D (2010) Behçet’s disease as a model of venous thrombosis. Open Cardiovasc Med J 4:71–77PubMed
41.
go back to reference Dotsenko O (2010) Stem/Progenitor cells, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular regeneration. Open Cardiovasc Med J 4:97–104PubMed Dotsenko O (2010) Stem/Progenitor cells, atherosclerosis and cardiovascular regeneration. Open Cardiovasc Med J 4:97–104PubMed
42.
go back to reference Mulrow CD (1987) The medical review article: state of the science. Ann Intern Med 106:485–488PubMed Mulrow CD (1987) The medical review article: state of the science. Ann Intern Med 106:485–488PubMed
43.
go back to reference McAlister FA, Clark HD, van Walraven C, Straus SE, Lawson FM, Moher D, Mulrow CD (1999) The medical review article revisited: has the science improved? Ann Intern Med 131:947–951PubMed McAlister FA, Clark HD, van Walraven C, Straus SE, Lawson FM, Moher D, Mulrow CD (1999) The medical review article revisited: has the science improved? Ann Intern Med 131:947–951PubMed
44.
go back to reference Falagas ME, Pitsouni EI, Malietzis GA, Pappas G (2008) Comparison of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar: strengths and weaknesses. FASEB J 22:338–42 Falagas ME, Pitsouni EI, Malietzis GA, Pappas G (2008) Comparison of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar: strengths and weaknesses. FASEB J 22:338–42
47.
go back to reference Merat S, Khatibzadeh S, Mesgarpour B, Malekzadeh R (2009) A survey of the current status of web-based databases indexing Iranian journals. Arch Iran Med 12:271–278PubMed Merat S, Khatibzadeh S, Mesgarpour B, Malekzadeh R (2009) A survey of the current status of web-based databases indexing Iranian journals. Arch Iran Med 12:271–278PubMed
48.
go back to reference Satyanarayana K, Sharma A (2010) Biomedical journals in India: some critical concerns. Indian J Med Res 132:119–122PubMed Satyanarayana K, Sharma A (2010) Biomedical journals in India: some critical concerns. Indian J Med Res 132:119–122PubMed
49.
go back to reference Chand V, Rosenfeldt FL, Pepe S (2008) The publication rate and impact of abstracts presented at the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (1999–2005). Heart Lung Circ 17:375–379PubMedCrossRef Chand V, Rosenfeldt FL, Pepe S (2008) The publication rate and impact of abstracts presented at the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand (1999–2005). Heart Lung Circ 17:375–379PubMedCrossRef
50.
go back to reference Van Royen P, Sandholzer H, Griffiths F, Lionis C, Rethans JJ, Galí F, Eilat-Tsanani S, Hummers-Pradier E (2010) Are presentations of abstracts at EGPRN meetings followed by publication? Eur J Gen Pract 16:100–105PubMedCrossRef Van Royen P, Sandholzer H, Griffiths F, Lionis C, Rethans JJ, Galí F, Eilat-Tsanani S, Hummers-Pradier E (2010) Are presentations of abstracts at EGPRN meetings followed by publication? Eur J Gen Pract 16:100–105PubMedCrossRef
51.
go back to reference Song J, Li M, Hwang DH, Ricciotti RW, Chang A (2010) The outcome of abstracts presented at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology annual meetings. Mod Pathol 23:682–685PubMedCrossRef Song J, Li M, Hwang DH, Ricciotti RW, Chang A (2010) The outcome of abstracts presented at the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology annual meetings. Mod Pathol 23:682–685PubMedCrossRef
52.
go back to reference Davidoff F, DeAngelis CD, Drazen JM, Hoey J, Højgaard L, Horton R, Kotzin S, Nicholls MG, Nylenna M, Overbeke AJ, Sox HC, Van Der Weyden MB, Wilkes MS (2001) Sponsorship, authorship, and accountability. Lancet 358:854–856PubMedCrossRef Davidoff F, DeAngelis CD, Drazen JM, Hoey J, Højgaard L, Horton R, Kotzin S, Nicholls MG, Nylenna M, Overbeke AJ, Sox HC, Van Der Weyden MB, Wilkes MS (2001) Sponsorship, authorship, and accountability. Lancet 358:854–856PubMedCrossRef
53.
go back to reference Drazen JM, de Leeuw PW, Laine C, Mulrow C, DeAngelis CD, Frizelle FA, Godlee F, Haug C, Hébert PC, James A, Kotzin S, Marusic A, Reyes H, Rosenberg J, Sahni P, Van der Weyden MB, Zhaori G (2010) Toward more uniform conflict disclosures—the updated ICMJE conflict of interest reporting form. N Engl J Med 363:188–189PubMedCrossRef Drazen JM, de Leeuw PW, Laine C, Mulrow C, DeAngelis CD, Frizelle FA, Godlee F, Haug C, Hébert PC, James A, Kotzin S, Marusic A, Reyes H, Rosenberg J, Sahni P, Van der Weyden MB, Zhaori G (2010) Toward more uniform conflict disclosures—the updated ICMJE conflict of interest reporting form. N Engl J Med 363:188–189PubMedCrossRef
54.
go back to reference Hutchison BG (1993) Critical appraisal of review articles. Can Fam Physician 39:1097–1102PubMed Hutchison BG (1993) Critical appraisal of review articles. Can Fam Physician 39:1097–1102PubMed
57.
go back to reference Hochberg ME, Chase JM, Gotelli NJ, Hastings A, Naeem S (2009) The tragedy of the reviewer commons. Ecol Lett 12:2–4PubMedCrossRef Hochberg ME, Chase JM, Gotelli NJ, Hastings A, Naeem S (2009) The tragedy of the reviewer commons. Ecol Lett 12:2–4PubMedCrossRef
Metadata
Title
Writing a narrative biomedical review: considerations for authors, peer reviewers, and editors
Authors
Armen Yuri Gasparyan
Lilit Ayvazyan
Heather Blackmore
George D. Kitas
Publication date
01-11-2011
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Rheumatology International / Issue 11/2011
Print ISSN: 0172-8172
Electronic ISSN: 1437-160X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-011-1999-3

Other articles of this Issue 11/2011

Rheumatology International 11/2011 Go to the issue
Obesity Clinical Trial Summary

At a glance: The STEP trials

A round-up of the STEP phase 3 clinical trials evaluating semaglutide for weight loss in people with overweight or obesity.

Developed by: Springer Medicine

Highlights from the ACC 2024 Congress

Year in Review: Pediatric cardiology

Watch Dr. Anne Marie Valente present the last year's highlights in pediatric and congenital heart disease in the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Pulmonary vascular disease

The last year's highlights in pulmonary vascular disease are presented by Dr. Jane Leopold in this official video from ACC.24.

Year in Review: Valvular heart disease

Watch Prof. William Zoghbi present the last year's highlights in valvular heart disease from the official ACC.24 Year in Review session.

Year in Review: Heart failure and cardiomyopathies

Watch this official video from ACC.24. Dr. Biykem Bozkurt discusses last year's major advances in heart failure and cardiomyopathies.