Utilizing Altmetrics to Track Advancements in Noninvasive Tests for MASLD

Abstract

Objective: Noninvasive tests (NITs) are vital for the early diagnosis of the stage of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). This study investigates relationships between altmetric scores, traditional Web of Science metrics (citations and impact factor), and the clinical impact as assessed by multiple experts.

Methods: Articles evaluating NITs for MASLD/MASH published in 2022 were evaluated without language/article-type restrictions by five expert hepatologists based on three subtopics: immediate usefulness in daily clinical practice (practicality), potential influence on future guidelines (impact), and new viewpoints and/or topics (innovation). Eligible articles were ranked 1-10 by physicians and scored by rank (10 points to rank 1, 9 points to rank 2, and so on), which were summed across all physicians by subtopic. The physicians' total score was derived from the sum of the subtopic scores. Altmetric scores were manually retrieved using Altmetric Explorer and compared with the summed physician scores and traditional metrics (Clarivate) using Pearson's correlation analysis.

Results: Moderate positive correlations existed between the altmetric attention score (AAS) and physician total score (r = 0.52), and between the AAS and innovation subtopic (r = 0.56). Weaker positive correlations existed between the AAS and practicality (r = 0.20) and impact (r = 0.14) subtopics. Among the high-ranking articles, the innovation subtopic demonstrated greater concordance across the five experts than the practicality and impact subtopics.

Conclusion: The use of altmetrics alongside traditional metrics may contribute to physicians involved in MASLD care obtaining innovative research information on NIT more quickly.

Keywords: altmetric attention score; biomarker; fibrosis; nonalcoholic fatty liver disease/diagnosis; scientific impact; social media; traditional bibliometric metric.