# Trend Analysis of Industry-Sponsored Research Funding and Research Productivity in Orthopaedic Surgery Using the Open Payments Database

## TL;DR

This study examines how industry-sponsored research funding to orthopedic surgeons in the U.S. changed from 2014 to 2018 and how research productivity affects funding amounts.

## Contribution

The study reveals a strong link between research productivity metrics and increased industry-sponsored funding in orthopedic surgery.

## Key findings

- Industry-sponsored research funding to orthopedic surgeons increased significantly from 2014 to 2018.
- Surgeons involved in clinical trials received a growing proportion of industry-sponsored payments over the study period.
- Research productivity, as measured by H-index and publication volume, correlates with higher funding amounts.

## Abstract

Introduction

Orthopedic surgery and industry work together in order to provide optimal patient care. The Open Payments Database (OPD), established in 2013, reports industry payments to physicians. This study analyzes the first five years of industry-sponsored research funding (ISRF) to orthopedic surgeons and examines research productivity's effect on ISRF.

Methods

The OPD was queried from 2014 to 2018 for research payments to orthopedic surgeons in the United States. H-indices and publication volume were queried using the Scopus database. The research payments were sub-categorized to surgeons in teaching hospitals, registered clinical trials, preclinical research, and domestic.

Results

Between 2014 and 2018, a total of $202.74 million in ISRF was made to 1718 orthopedic surgeons. The proportion of research payments associated with a registered clinical trial significantly increased from 9.62% of payments in 2014 to 42.19% of payments in 2018 (p=0.002). Zimmer Biomet Holdings, Inc. ($20.77 million) contributed the largest value of payments to the greatest number of orthopedic surgeons (n=337). The total value of research payments increased by $3855 for every five-unit increase of a surgeon's H-index (p<0.001) and $762 for every five additional publications (p<0.001).

Conclusion

Orthopedic surgeons affiliated with a teaching hospital or clinical trial receive more ISRF. There may be a relationship between research productivity and ISRF.