Dr. Christian also cites “the scientific excellence of papers accepted for publication” in the early 70s, as well as “the power of collaboration in research, multi-institutional and multi-authorship, [as well as] the global character of biomedical research.”
Dr. Arend says of his tenure from 1995 to 2000, “The major milestone was actually the continuation of a trend: the increasing percentage of manuscripts submitted from outside the U.S.”
Dr. Pisetsky, who immediately followed Dr. Arend, serving as editor from 2000 to 2005, agrees. “The world has gotten bigger, and there’s outstanding science being done all over the world,” he points out. “Just as science advanced here, it advanced in Europe and in Asia.”
As the research and science presented in the pages of the journal have evolved, change was also happening behind the scenes. An electronic submission and review process was implemented, increasing the efficiency and speed of the journal’s production. This new process may have helped boost the number of submissions, although progress in the field – especially the increasing prevalence of biological therapies – also had a hand in the journal’s growth.
Who knows what the future holds for A&R? Perhaps the prediction article in the supplement will provide some answers. In the meantime, watch for the journal’s new look and for the special anniversary supplement in February.
Jane Jerrard is a frequent contributor to The Rheumatologist.
