What does this research mean for the field?

A small number of influential, often collaborating authors concentrated in a few medical fields account for a significant proportion of retracted randomized clinical trials. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

The study aims to analyze the impact of influential authors on the rate of retracted randomized clinical trials (RCTs).

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April 17, 2026Open Access

Retracted Randomized Clinical Trials From Superretractors and Top-Cited Scientists With Multiple Retractions

Key Points

The study aims to analyze the impact of influential authors on the rate of retracted randomized clinical trials (RCTs).
Analyzed a cohort of 1330 retracted RCTs.
Identified influential authors and their coauthors.
Examined the concentration of retractions across medical fields.
A small number of authors accounted for a large portion of retractions.
There was a high concentration of retracted trials in specific medical fields.
Coauthors of influential authors also significantly contributed to retractions.

Abstract

In this cohort study of 1330 retracted RCTs, a small number of influential authors, often coauthors and concentrated across few fields of medicine, accounted for a significant proportion of retracted clinical trials.

Retracted Randomized Clinical Trials From Superretractors and Top-Cited Scientists With Multiple Retractions

Key Points

Abstract

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