Journal retracts more than 50 studies from Saudi Arabia for faked authorship

The journal Cureus has retracted 56 papers nearly two years after it first began to suspect the works were of dubious lineage.

Cureus – an open access journal founded in 2009 and acquired by Springer Nature in 2022 – slapped 55 of the papers with expressions of concern in April 2022. At that time, at least one author said they didn’t know anything about the work and Cureus noted the “articles were submitted and subsequently published purportedly as an effort coordinated by Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University to ensure all medical interns publish at least one peer-reviewed article in order to qualify for enrollment in a postgraduate residency program as stipulated by The Saudi Commission for Health Specialties (SCFHS).”

At the time, Cureus’ founding editor in chief John Adler told us “The investigation has been frustratingly slow due to the relative unresponsiveness of Saudi gov officials.” Apparently, that remained the case. This week, the journal retracted 56 studies. All of the retraction notices read the same way:

The Editors-in-Chief have retracted this article. Concerns were raised regarding the identity of the authors on this article. Specifically, Faisal Alhaway and Malak Shammari have stated that they were added to this article without their knowledge or approval. The identity of the other authors could also not be verified. As the appropriate authorship of this work cannot be established, the Editors-in-Chief no longer have confidence in the results and conclusions of this article.

We asked Springer Nature why the move had taken nearly two years. Graham Parker-Finger, Cureus’ director of publishing and customer services, told us through a spokesperson:

We agree that editorial action on problematic content should happen as quickly as possible, but we need to ensure we are acting responsibly and appropriately.  Our initial investigation attempts stalled after we experienced protracted difficulties in communicating with the relevant parties.  Although all of the articles were reviewed by at least one independent peer reviewer and underwent several rounds of journal editorial review, based on the lack of follow-up and inability to connect with anyone related to the case, the journal made the decision to publish an expression of concern for each article.

Adler told us:

After a dozen or so failed attempts to communicate with Saudi Government authorities over the better part of a year, we decided to retract all these articles. The editorial team could not convince ourselves that anything in these articles was wrong, but neither could we vouch for their authenticity, especially with the primary authors simply vanishing. The circumstances here are so peculiar given the seeming lack of any clear motivation by the authors and the ghosting of us by Saudi authorities. So out of an abundance of caution we made the decision to retract and just move on.

Parker-Finger continued:

It is our position that our primary responsibility is to the public (and more specifically, the scientific community) to only publish credible medical science. While the authorship issues are undoubtedly suspicious, the journal still has no reason to doubt the scientific accuracy of the articles, which contributed to the delay to act as we worked through the most appropriate course of action. At the time these decisions were made, the journal was also engaged in acquisition talks with Springer Nature and we determined that the best course of action would be to work with Springer Nature’s research integrity and legal resources on next steps, given the level of uncertainty regarding the situation.

He said the journal has “undertaken a number of activities to prevent a similar situation occurring in future:”

Our system now has an automated function for the identification and rejection of submissions that include authors with illegitimate email domains such as boximail.com.  It also sends an automated notification to senior editorial staff if one author submits multiple submissions over a short period and these cases will be followed by inquiry and, if needed, full investigation.  Our submissions editors have been trained to identify and flag suspicious publishing activity of this type and senior editorial staff have been thoroughly briefed on details of case for awareness and advice on appropriate steps to take including contacting department leadership to authenticate identities.”

Here are the 56 articles:

  1. Owedah R J, Alshehri O A, Alfneekh N I, et al. (September 17, 2021) Acute Omental Infarction Mimicking Acute Appendicitis. Cureus 13(9): e18053. doi:10.7759/cureus.18053
  2. Alqahtani S S, Altowygry S M, Alebiwani T E, et al. (September 18, 2021) Saddle Aortic Embolism Following Recovery From Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia. Cureus 13(9): e18074. doi:10.7759/cureus.18074
  3. Al Furaikh B F, Alzahrani N A, Alghamdi A A, et al. (September 22, 2021) Urachal Abscess: A Rare Etiology of Acute Abdominal Pain in Adults. Cureus 13(9): e18193. doi:10.7759/cureus.18193
  4. Alshuaylan R N, Alismail A A, Haobani F M, et al. (October 01, 2021) Colloid Cyst: A Potentially Life-Threatening Etiology of Severe Headache in a Patient With Migraine. Cureus 13(10): e18424. doi:10.7759/cureus.18424
  5. Alnass A J, Alamer R A, Alamri H H, et al. (October 01, 2021) Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: A Rare Complication in COVID-19. Cureus 13(10): e18426. doi:10.7759/cureus.18426
  6. Aldabbab H Y, Hakeem M A, Alanazi F M, et al. (October 07, 2021) Isolated Polycystic Liver Disease: A Rare Genetic Disorder. Cureus 13(10): e18560. doi:10.7759/cureus.18560
  7. Alabdullatif S M, Alajwad M H, Kareemah M F, et al. (October 07, 2021) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: An Overlooked Etiology of Low Back Pain. Cureus 13(10): e18587. doi:10.7759/cureus.18587
  8. Assad M A, Boushal T A, Halawani Z W, et al. (October 12, 2021) Amyand Hernia With Acute Appendicitis: A Rare Type of Hernia. Cureus 13(10): e18720. doi:10.7759/cureus.18720
  9. Khashoggi A A, Hakami N A, Alghamdi M A, et al. (October 17, 2021) Hematocolpos: An Unusual Cause of Right Iliac Fossa Pain. Cureus 13(10): e18835. doi:10.7759/cureus.18835
  10. Alaithan F A, Aljawad M H, Ghawas A H, et al. (October 19, 2021) Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19 Patients: A Retrospective Case-Control Study. Cureus 13(10): e18887. doi:10.7759/cureus.18887
  11. Bin Saqyan T M, Basunbul L I, Badahdah A A, et al. (October 21, 2021) Abdominal Pseudocyst: A Rare Complication of Ventriculoperitoneal Shunts. Cureus 13(10): e18956. doi:10.7759/cureus.18956
  12. Sultan M A, Hakami A A, Alshabri M I, et al. (October 26, 2021) Gastric Volvulus: A Rare Etiology of Acute Chest Pain. Cureus 13(10): e19067. doi:10.7759/cureus.19067
  13. Alshamrani A M, Aldawsari A M, Alhassoun S A, et al. (November 04, 2021) Complete Lumbar Spine Dislocation With Full Neurological Recovery. Cureus 13(11): e19249. doi:10.7759/cureus.19249
  14. Mofti A H, Ghabashi F A, Sadagah M M, et al. (November 06, 2021) Sclerosing Encapsulating Peritonitis Following Recovery From COVID-19 Pneumonia. Cureus 13(11): e19306. doi:10.7759/cureus.19306
  15. Alshammari M, Aljohani M A, Hashash J M, et al. (November 09, 2021) Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome in a Child Presenting With Chronic Diarrhea: A Rare Case in Family Medicine Practice. Cureus 13(11): e19391. doi:10.7759/cureus.19391
  16. Alshammari F A, Alotaibi A M, Alali M A, et al. (November 09, 2021) Schwannoma: A Rare Etiology of Pancoast Syndrome. Cureus 13(11): e19418. doi:10.7759/cureus.19418
  17. Alnashri Y A, Alhuzali A M, Edrees E A, et al. (November 09, 2021) Cecal Lipoma: A Rare Etiology of Acute Appendicitis in Adults. Cureus 13(11): e19423. doi:10.7759/cureus.19423
  18. Alzahrani R A, Alzahrani O M, Alherz S H, et al. (November 13, 2021) Isolated Superior Mesenteric Artery Dissection After Methamphetamine Use: A Rare Adverse Effect. Cureus 13(11): e19551. doi:10.7759/cureus.19551
  19. Alzahrani R A, Alghamdi A F, Alzahrani M A, et al. (November 16, 2021) A Giant Porencephaly: A Rare Etiology of Pediatric Seizures. Cureus 13(11): e19623. doi:10.7759/cureus.19623
  20. Albaqami A M, Al-Salam H A, Alhagbani M A, et al. (November 17, 2021) Laparoscopic Port Site Hernia: A Rare Etiology of Intestinal Obstruction. Cureus 13(11): e19681. doi:10.7759/cureus.19681
  21. Alfahhad M F, Qasem H A, Alrajhi N N, et al. (November 19, 2021) Ruptured Isolated Common Iliac Artery Aneurysm Masquerading as Renal Colic. Cureus 13(11): e19752. doi:10.7759/cureus.19752
  22. Alfahhad M F, Alghamdi S S, Alzahrani O A, et al. (November 20, 2021) Cerebral Venous Infarct After Recovery From COVID-19 Pneumonia. Cureus 13(11): e19763. doi:10.7759/cureus.19763
  23. Alamer M F, Alhuthaly S K, Alfahhad M F, et al. (November 24, 2021) Retroperitoneal Lipoma: An Unusual Etiology of Urge Incontinence. Cureus 13(11): e19878. doi:10.7759/cureus.19878
  24. Altuwayr R M, Almutairi F S, Alkhaibari S H, et al. (November 25, 2021) Spontaneous Rupture of Large Angiomyolipoma of the Kidney: A Rare Case. Cureus 13(11): e19908. doi:10.7759/cureus.19908
  25. Alali A A, Baqais M O, Albishi F M, et al. (November 28, 2021) Superior Mesenteric Artery Thrombosis Following Severe COVID-19 Pneumonia. Cureus 13(11): e19954. doi:10.7759/cureus.19954
  26. Aldawsari M, Alotaibi B, Hashim O S, et al. (November 28, 2021) Fahr Disease: A Rare Cause of First-Time Seizure in the Emergency Department. Cureus 13(11): e19965. doi:10.7759/cureus.19965
  27. Aldahhas R A, Alotaibi M, Albishi S, et al. (November 29, 2021) Celiac Artery Compression Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Abdominal Angina. Cureus 13(11): e20011. doi:10.7759/cureus.20011
  28. Alqarni M A, Kutubkhana R H, Alhosami S M, et al. (December 02, 2021) Vesicourachal Diverticulum: A Rare Cause of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections. Cureus 13(12): e20118. doi:10.7759/cureus.20118
  29. Alzarie M F, Alhaddab A A, Aljafar F A, et al. (December 02, 2021) Lipoma of the Pancreas: A Rare Incidental Tumor. Cureus 13(12): e20122. doi:10.7759/cureus.20122
  30. Alzahrani T S, Alharbi H, Al Homoudi I, et al. (December 03, 2021) Mesenteric Panniculitis: A Rare Condition in a Patient With Rheumatoid Arthritis. Cureus 13(12): e20136. doi:10.7759/cureus.20136
  31. Khafaji R A, Ghandourah H S, Altamimi K, et al. (December 05, 2021) Epiploic Appendagitis Clinically Masquerading as an Acute Diverticulitis. Cureus 13(12): e20188. doi:10.7759/cureus.20188
  32. Alhusayni S A, Alshammari H, Althomali A, et al. (December 06, 2021) Emphysematous Cystitis: A Radiological Diagnosis of Potentially Life-Threatening Infection. Cureus 13(12): e20201. doi:10.7759/cureus.20201
  33. Alsuwayj A H, Al Nasser A H, Al Dehailan M, et al. (December 10, 2021) Giant Traumatic Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Report of Delayed Presentation. Cureus 13(12): e20315. doi:10.7759/cureus.20315
  34. Alshehri A O, Aljuhani T S, Alotaibi S S, et al. (December 10, 2021) Colonic Gallstone Ileus: A Rare Etiology of Large Bowel Obstruction. Cureus 13(12): e20338. doi:10.7759/cureus.20338
  35. Mohamed F Y, Alharbi Y H, Almutairi M N, et al. (December 11, 2021) Abdominal Cocoon: A Rare Complication of Peritoneal Dialysis in Chronic Kidney Disease. Cureus 13(12): e20341. doi:10.7759/cureus.20341
  36. Alqahtani S A, Alghamdi A M, Babader R A, et al. (December 13, 2021) Tracheal Bronchus: A Rare Etiology of Recurrent Pneumonia in Children. Cureus 13(12): e20378. doi:10.7759/cureus.20378
  37. Gohal S O, Alally A A, Alhonaizil A I, et al. (December 15, 2021) Giant Unruptured Internal Carotid Artery Aneurysm. Cureus 13(12): e20423. doi:10.7759/cureus.20423
  38. Alfarra K S, Aldhamer A A, Aldubaib H S, et al. (December 15, 2021) Pure Uterine Lipoma: A Report of a Rare Entity. Cureus 13(12): e20444. doi:10.7759/cureus.20444
  39. Alshahrani A, Alotaibi N A, Alzahrani F K, et al. (December 18, 2021) Intussusception in Adults: A Rare Etiology of Small Intestinal Obstruction. Cureus 13(12): e20502. doi:10.7759/cureus.20502
  40. Alfaraj A S, Almohamad A A, Alqabbani N S, et al. (December 24, 2021) Colonic Angiolipoma: An Extremely Rare Tumor Clinically Masquerading as Acute Appendicitis. Cureus 13(12): e20659. doi:10.7759/cureus.20659
  41. Gohal S O, Alsubhi M, Alharbi A, et al. (December 25, 2021) Lemierre’s Syndrome: A Case of Life-Threatening Infection From Family Medicine Practice. Cureus 13(12): e20684. doi:10.7759/cureus.20684
  42. Aldubaikhi A, Albeabe S A, Alfaraj M, et al. (January 06, 2022) Urinary Bladder Hernia: A Rare Cause of Urinary Frequency. Cureus 14(1): e20993. doi:10.7759/cureus.20993
  43. Alrasheed S M, Alluqmani M F, Almoallem H, et al. (January 09, 2022) Lymphangioma: A Rare Benign Cystic Pancreatic Lesion. Cureus 14(1): e21056. doi:10.7759/cureus.21056
  44. Alobaidi A, Alfaran A, Algazwi H H, et al. (January 11, 2022) Eagle Syndrome: A Rare Cause of Stroke in a Young Patient. Cureus 14(1): e21102. doi:10.7759/cureus.21102
  45. Alotaibi A A, Albaqami F S, Almushayqih A K, et al. (January 11, 2022) Large Pleural Lipoma Manifesting With Chronic Shoulder Pain. Cureus 14(1): e21113. doi:10.7759/cureus.21113
  46. Aldosari D M, Alaboon N K, Mojammami M Y, et al. (January 11, 2022) Inguinal Hernia Containing an Inflamed Appendix: A Case of Amyand Hernia. Cureus 14(1): e21121. doi:10.7759/cureus.21121
  47. Yusuf M H, Alharthi A, Alahmari S, et al. (January 11, 2022) Hemichorea: A Rare Neurological Complication of Diabetes Mellitus. Cureus 14(1): e21131. doi:10.7759/cureus.21131
  48. Aljuaid K, Iskandar M N, Almalki A A, et al. (January 11, 2022) Unicentric Castleman Disease With Systemic Symptoms: A Rare Case From Family Practice. Cureus 14(1): e21132. doi:10.7759/cureus.21132
  49. Alnooh A M, Al Furaikh B F, Alaithan M, et al. (January 11, 2022) Intraosseous Calcaneal Lipoma Misdiagnosed as Plantar Fasciitis: An Orthopedic Case From Family Practice. Cureus 14(1): e21136. doi:10.7759/cureus.21136
  50. Alyousef I A, Alsaileek A, Alabdulsalam M A, et al. (January 17, 2022) Mesenteric Panniculitis and COVID-19: A Rare Association. Cureus 14(1): e21314. doi:10.7759/cureus.21314
  51. Almutlaq M I, Almutairi A S, Alsadiq A M, et al. (January 17, 2022) Bilateral Elastofibroma Dorsi: A Case From General Practice. Cureus 14(1): e21315. doi:10.7759/cureus.21315
  52. Gohal S O, Alradadi S S, Althomali A, et al. (January 18, 2022) A Rare Case of Solitary Schwannoma of Submandibular Gland. Cureus 14(1): e21373. doi:10.7759/cureus.21373
  53. Alammari R K, Alhessan A A, Alturki A A, et al. (January 19, 2022) Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis: A Rare Variant of Chronic Cholecystitis. Cureus 14(1): e21400. doi:10.7759/cureus.21400
  54. Ghazwani S M, Alzaki E S, Fadhel A M, et al. (January 19, 2022) Sylvian Fissure Lipoma: An Unusual Etiology of Seizures in Adults. Cureus 14(1): e21407. doi:10.7759/cureus.21407
  55. Barnawi R M, Alsulami T A, Alzahrani W A, et al. (January 19, 2022) Extensive Pulmonary Embolism Following Mild COVID-19 Pneumonia. Cureus 14(1): e21436. doi:10.7759/cureus.21436
  56. Aldandan N S, Al Mutairi A N, Almutairi T H, et al. (January 22, 2022) Intracranial Osteoma: Unusual Etiology of Chronic Daily Headaches. Cureus 14(1): e21488. doi:10.7759/cureus.21488

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10 thoughts on “Journal retracts more than 50 studies from Saudi Arabia for faked authorship”

    1. Journals typically require all authors to approve a manuscript before its review. However, Cureus’ editor-in-chief stated that two authors were unaware of their names appearing on published papers. This suggests flaws in the submission system allowed unauthorized publications. Accusing others of “faking papers” and publicizing their names without evidence is a serious offense with potential repercussions.

      Reply

    2. What? This seems to be a journal mistake. They’re verifying authorship after taking the APC money? Why not before? What kind of system are they running? This is really fishy.

      Reply

  2. “The circumstances here are so peculiar given the seeming lack of any clear motivation by the authors”.
    Is Adler being naive or disingenuous? I would have thought that needing one’s name on a paper as a prerequisite for further education is a clear motivation.

    Reply

  3. This is unbelievable!
    The rest of the authors should file an official complaints against the journal including the editorial board who accepted the papers for publication!
    The final say and decision to be published is in their hands hence they are responsible.
    This decision taken inappropriately, not in a professional way and yet claiming the fault to be against the slow response od Saudi Officials ! There is high likely that those officials ( God knows whom they refer to ! ) found no bases and the enquiry worthless ..
    The editorial board should double check their procedures of final acceptane…

    Reply

    1. When you say the final decision to publish is in the journal’s hands you are correct. But that means the journal also has the authority to retract when it finds out the information it was provided (in this case the identity of the authors) was falsified.

      Before doing this they attempted to resolve the issue, hence contacting Saudi officials. The lack of response by the officials clearly couldn’t be taken as a sign of no wrong doing being found in an investigation (because they could have informed the journal of this and identified the source of the confusion) and so the journal ultimately had no choice but to retract as the papers were not reliable.

      The fault here lies with whoever added the fake authors. All the other authors are suffering because of this.

      Reply

    2. Knowing the normal procedures for publishing a research works reported in a draft scientific paper (…, and after the peer-reviews, and acceptance , and getting the final clearance for publishing with securing the consent from all authors), I do not understand the reasons that the editorial board would try to involve the Saudi Government?!

      Reply

  5. I genuinely doubt that someone in the Editorial Board is the culprit who should be identified and pinned. Without active help from journal authorities such theatrics are impossible. The journal should first search its ship for the culprit and should not play holy.

    Reply

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