Retractions in Rheumatology: Trends, Causes, and Implications for Research Integrity
Authors' conclusion
Retractions in rheumatology have risen substantially, largely due to misconduct.
Study context
- Population
- Retracted rheumatology articles in the Retraction Watch database, 1989–202479.5% original articles
- Participants
- 381 participants
- Exposure
- Retracted rheumatology articles vs a sample of articles from other medical specialties
- Outcome
- Trends and main reasons for study retraction in rheumatology literature
Methodological detailsreview of the Retraction Watch database, comparison with a sample of articles from other medical specialties
- Review of the Retraction Watch database
- Comparison with a sample of articles from other medical specialties
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Reasons for retraction, origin and time to retraction
- Scientific misconduct
- 75.3%
- Data errors
- 14.9%
- Other reasons
- 7.6%
- Originated from Asia
- 68.5%
- Originated from China
- 50.7%
- Median time from publication to retraction, months (IQR 9-46)
- 18
- Retractions 2000-2009
- 18
- Retractions 2010-2019
- 117
- Retractions 2020-2023 (steady increase, P < 0.001)
- 207
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Comparison with other medical specialties
- Rheumatology exhibited similar retraction patterns, differing mainly in geographic distribution
Original publication
Retractions in Rheumatology: Trends, Causes, and Implications for Research Integrity. Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). Published 6 February 2026. doi:10.
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