S2985 From Conference Presentation to Journal Publication: Success Rates and Determinants in ACG Abstracts

Introduction: Scientific conferences like the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) Annual Meeting are vital platforms for presenting new research in gastroenterology. These events facilitate knowledge sharing, expert feedback, and collaboration. Abstracts presented at such meetings often serve as the first public disclosure of research that may later evolve into peer-reviewed publications. The conversion of abstracts to full-length articles reflects research productivity, rigor, and knowledge dissemination. This study assessed publication rates of abstracts from ACG 2015 and 2018, identifying factors associated with successful full-text conversion. Methods: Abstracts were collected from ACG 2015 and 2018 via American Journal of Gastroenterology supplements. Data on presentation type, affiliation, authorship, and study type were extracted. Follow-up periods of 10 years (2015) and 7 years (2018) were used to identify full-text publications through PubMed and Google Scholar, requiring at least 3 keywords and 1 author name. Analyses employed chi-square and t-tests. A 25% publication rate was hypothesized. Results: Of 5,569 abstracts (3,061 in 2018; 2,508 in 2015), 21.1% were published, below the expected 25%. Publication rates were slightly higher in 2018 (22% vs 20%; P = 0.07). Case reports and series had lower publication rates, while original research and systematic reviews/meta-analyses had significantly higher odds (odds ratio [OR]: 2.6 and 1.9; P < 0.001). Multi-institutional abstracts and those with >6 authors had higher publication rates (P < 0.001). The mean time to publication was 16 months, with no cohort difference (P = 0.27). Published abstracts had more authors on average (P < 0.001). The mean impact factor of destination journals was 3.8, with no difference between years (P = 0.67). Only 21.3% retained identical authorship; 28% had a new first author. ACG Case Reports Journal was the most common destination (7%). Conclusion: Only 21% of abstracts reached publication, with case reports less likely to convert. Multi-author, collaborative studies had higher success rates. The mean time to publication was consistent across cohorts, mostly within 3 years. Despite low conversion, the high impact factors reflect quality research. Authorship changes suggest evolving contributions. Enhancing training, resources, and targeted journal promotion may improve future publication outcomes.