Global Trends in Urological Evidence Synthesis: A Bibliometric Analysis of Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses

Background Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are essential for evidence-based urology practice. Despite their importance, no comprehensive assessment of their evolution exists, limiting understanding of research priorities. This bibliometric analysis examines systematic reviews and meta-analyses in urology, analyzing publication trends, influential works, and collaboration networks to guide future research. Methods In this bibliometric study, a comprehensive search of the Scopus database was conducted until January 2024, focusing on English-language systematic reviews and meta-analyses in urology. Bibliometric data were analyzed using Excel, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica to examine publication trends, citations, collaborations, and research themes. Results Analysis of 9006 publications (55.4% open access) showed exponential growth from 1987 (n = 1) to 2024 (n = 1025). The top 50 cited papers focused mainly on urological oncology (uro-oncology), surgical outcomes, and diagnostic imaging. European Urology emerged as the leading journal, showing strong bibliographic coupling with other specialty urological journals. Term co-occurrence analysis revealed 5 major clusters: (1) drug efficacy in prostatic hyperplasia; (2) cancer risk and genetic studies; (3) treatment modalities in urological cancers; (4) surgical complications; and (5) diagnostic accuracy in prostate cancer. The United States, Italy, and the United Kingdom demonstrated the strongest international collaboration networks, with European countries showing robust research partnerships. Conclusion Urological evidence synthesis shows particular emphasis on uro-oncology, surgical outcomes, and diagnostic imaging, reflecting the evolution of evidence-based urological practice. Future research should focus on expanding international collaborations, addressing emerging diagnostic technologies, and developing standardized methodologies for evidence synthesis in urological practice.

• Publication year

  2025

• Venue

  Medical Journal of The Islamic Republic of Iran

• Publication date

  2025-02-25

• Fields of study

  Medicine

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.47176/mjiri.39.76PMID 41089610PMCID 12516444
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• The importance of systematic reviews

  2024cited by this paper
• Comparison of holmium laser enucleation and transurethral resection of prostate in benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  2023influential reference
• Reoperation after surgical treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review

  2023influential reference
• Radical prostatectomy versus external beam radiotherapy with androgen deprivation therapy for high-risk prostate cancer: a systematic review

  2023cited by this paper
• Head-to-head Comparison of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography and Conventional Imaging Modalities for Initial Staging of Intermediate- to High-risk Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

  2023influential reference
• The efficacy and safety of dutasteride and finasteride in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  2022influential reference
• How to conduct a bibliometric analysis: An overview and guidelines

  2021cited by this paper
• The rationale behind systematic reviews in clinical medicine: a conceptual framework

  2021cited by this paper
• Systematic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for the detection of prostate cancer in symptomatic patients

  2021influential reference
• A systematic review and meta-analysis of radical cystectomy in the treatment of muscular invasive bladder cancer (MIBC)

  2021cited by this paper
• Effect of androgen deprivation therapy on cognitive functioning in men with prostate cancer: A systematic review

  2021cited by this paper
• The role of cystoprostatectomy in management of locally advanced prostate cancer: a systematic review

  2020influential reference
• A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Delay in Radical Cystectomy and the Effect on Survival in Bladder Cancer Patients.

  2020cited by this paper
• acetyltransferase 2 Polymorphism is Associated With Bladder Cancer Risk: An Updated Meta-Analysis Based on 54 Case-Control Studies.

  2020cited by this paper
• Accuracy of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing prostate Cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

  2019influential reference
• Role of adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy following radical cystectomy in locally advanced muscle-invasive bladder cancer: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials

  2019influential reference
• Comparison of Multiparametric Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Targeted Biopsy With Systematic Biopsy Alone for the Diagnosis of Prostate Cancer

  2019cited by this paper
• A systematic review and meta-analysis of delay to radical cystectomy and the effect on survival in bladder cancer patients

  2019cited by this paper
• Systematic Review: Genetic Associations for Prognostic Factors of Urinary Bladder Cancer

  2019cited by this paper
• Bladder Cancer Genetic Susceptibility. A Systematic Review

  2018cited by this paper
• Efficacy and safety of 5 alpha-reductase inhibitor monotherapy in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia: A meta-analysis

  2018cited by this paper
• A systematic review and meta-analysis on the oncological long-term outcomes after trimodality therapy and radical cystectomy with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

  2017cited by this paper
• Effect of 5α-Reductase Inhibitors on Sexual Function: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.

  2016influential reference
• Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Survival Outcomes of First-line Treatment Options in High-risk Prostate Cancer

  2015cited by this paper
• Intermittent vs Continuous Androgen Deprivation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

  2015cited by this paper
• A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Functional Outcomes and Complications Following Transurethral Procedures for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms Resulting from Benign Prostatic Obstruction: An Update.

  2015cited by this paper
• Meta-analysis of functional outcomes and complications following transurethral procedures for lower urinary tract symptoms resulting from benign prostatic enlargement.

  2010cited by this paper
• Comparisons of citations in Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar for articles published in general medical journals.

  2009cited by this paper
• Randomized controlled trials.

  2004cited by this paper

• No citing papers are available for this paper.