Knowledge production in Iranian cardiovascular research centers: A way to reduce the burden of disease

BACKGROUND: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), non-communicable diseases (NCDs) including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) will be responsible for almost 70% of all deaths in 2020. Therefore, knowledge production to find suitable ways to prevent, diagnosis, and effectively cover this disease in research centers is mandatory. Therefore, the present study is carried out with the aim to examine the results of studies performed in three years in Iranian cardiovascular centers. METHODS: Iranian cardiovascular research centers with more than three years of activity from 2015 to 2017 were evaluated. Research output, international collaboration, high quality publication, total citation, and average h-index (H) were evaluated and scored. RESULTS: 23 cardiovascular diseases research centers (CVDRCs) related to 15 universities of Medical Sciences (UMSs) were evaluated. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of age of the research activities in CVDRCs was 11.47 ± 8.60 years. Based on the research ranking, the first three centers were Isfahan Cardiovascular Research Center, Iran, Tehran Heart Center, and Shaheed Rajaei Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran, respectively, all of which have independent budget line. However, there is not any CVD research center in some provinces such as Zanjan, Kurdistan, Lorestan, and Arak, Iran. CONCLUSION: Mission oriented research activities in Iranian cardiovascular research centers may be effective in reducing the burden of CVDs. Moreover, establishment of CVD research centers in high risk areas may be useful.