Does the type of publisher response to integrity concerns influence subsequent citations? A cohort study.

BackgroundJournals may respond to integrity concerns by publishing an editorial response (editorial notice, expression of concern (EoC) or retraction). We investigated whether the type of editorial response affected citation rates. MethodsWe obtained citations for 172 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) with integrity concerns (41 had editorial notices, 38 EoCs and 23 retractions) and control RCTs from the same journal and year. Monthly citation rates up to 60 months before and after editorial responses were compared by editorial response type, and to citation decline in control RCTs. Results172 RCTs had 10,603 citations from 6,376 articles. 3,330 control trials were identified for 151/172 RCTs (15,948 citations, 87,811 articles). For both groups, citations increased steadily, peaking 45-65 months post-publication. There were no statistically significant differences in citation decline post-editorial response for trials receiving a retraction, EoC, or notice. Citations were lower in controls than index trials, so analyses were restricted to 1598 highly cited (>25) controls. The rate of decline for highly cited control trials was not statistically significantly different from the post-editorial response rate for index groups. ConclusionCitation rate decline after editorial responses did not differ by type of editorial response nor from the natural decline in control trials. HighlightsO_LIJournals may respond to integrity concerns by issuing an editorial notice. C_LIO_LIThe effect of expressions of concern or other editorial notices on citation patterns is unclear. C_LIO_LIEditorial notices did not accelerate citation decline compared with control trials. C_LIO_LIThe type of notice was not associated with differences in citation decline. C_LIO_LILate editorial notices appear ineffective in preventing continued citation. C_LI