Mapping Research Productivity of BRICS Countries with Special Reference to Coronary Artery Disease (CAD): A Scientometric Study

This study presents a comprehensive scientometric analysis of research productivity on Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) among the BRICS countries, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, using data retrieved from the Web of Science database for the period 1990 to 2019. A total of 50,036 records were analyzed to assess publication growth trends, authorship patterns, collaboration levels, and citation impact. The findings reveal a steady increase in CAD-related publications, with China emerging as the leading contributor, followed by Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa. English dominated as the primary language of communication, accounting for over 93% of publications. Authorship and collaboration analysis indicate a high degree of joint research, with 97.91% of studies being co-authored and a degree of collaboration of 0.98, underscoring the collective nature of scientific inquiry in this domain. The study validates the applicability of Lotkas Law for author productivity, Bradfords Law for journal distribution, and Zipfs Law for keyword frequency, while the Price Square Root Law was found inapplicable. The predominant publication format was journal articles (79.7%), and Kardiologiya (Russia) emerged as the most prolific journal. The results demonstrate significant growth in CAD research output and collaboration within BRICS, though notable disparities persist among member nations. The study recommends enhancing individual author productivity, expanding international collaboration, and supporting CAD research through strategic institutional and governmental initiatives. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, funding agencies, and the academic community to strengthen cardiovascular research capacity within developing economies.