Yes, StatPearls articles are peer-reviewed, with chapters hosted on NCBI Bookshelf and many indexed in PubMed.
If you landed here wondering whether StatPearls qualifies as peer-reviewed medical literature, you’re not alone. Clinicians and students want trusted sources when they cite or study. This guide gives a crisp answer up top, then walks through how StatPearls builds, reviews, and updates its chapters, how that differs from a classic journal, and when to cite it in your own work.
Are StatPearls Articles Peer-Reviewed? Details That Matter
StatPearls is a large reference set published by StatPearls Publishing and distributed on the U.S. National Library of Medicine’s Bookshelf. You can see the public NCBI Bookshelf record, which lists StatPearls as an ongoing work with thousands of clinical chapters and a named editorial board. Its chapters are written and edited by domain clinicians and faculty. New and updated chapters go through editorial checks and expert review before posting or revision.
Readers often ask, “are statpearls articles peer-reviewed?” Yes. Company materials state that StatPearls hosts thousands of peer-reviewed, PubMed-indexed chapters across specialties. The next sections show where you can verify that claim in the public record.
Snapshot: How StatPearls Signals Quality
| Aspect | What StatPearls Says (Source) |
|---|---|
| Host & Distributor | Published by StatPearls Publishing; distributed on NCBI Bookshelf (U.S. National Library of Medicine). |
| Peer Review Claim | Company pages describe the library as peer-reviewed and PubMed-indexed. |
| Indexing | Chapters live on Bookshelf and many surface in PubMed results with “StatPearls Publishing” in the citation line. |
| Update Cadence | Continuous updates with a minimum re-review cycle of three years; readers can flag chapters for earlier review. |
| Evidence Grading | Articles display recommendation grades by evidence level to keep sourcing transparent. |
| Editorial Board | Named editorial board listed on the Bookshelf title page. |
| Error Path | Readers can report issues that trigger author and specialist corrections. |
| Access Model | Free access on NCBI; institutional and individual options on StatPearls.com. |
Peer Review At StatPearls: How Articles Are Vetted
What does “peer-reviewed” look like in this context? StatPearls runs a living-reference model. Authors draft or update a clinical chapter. Subject experts and editors check accuracy, clarity, clinical relevance, sourcing, and alignment with guidance. The platform highlights major updates so readers can see what changed. A three-year minimum cycle keeps stale content from lingering, and readers can flag early revisions when evidence shifts. See the public update policy and the evidence grading note that chapters carry.
This model differs from a monthly journal issue. There is no wait for a specific volume. Chapters can be revised any day, and the Bookshelf record shows the latest update. That speed suits quick reference at the bedside or while studying. It also means citations should include the access date along with the stable Bookshelf URL.
What Peer Review Means In Practice
In scholarly publishing, peer review is the check by subject experts before a work is accepted. It tests methods, claims, and references. For a fast refresher on common models (single-blind, double-blind, open), see this concise Wiley guide to peer review, which outlines reviewer selection, ethical standards, and common decision paths.
Where You Can See Public Evidence Of Review
Two public footprints confirm review and curation. First, the official Bookshelf record lists StatPearls as an ongoing work and links to the full table of contents. Second, individual StatPearls chapters appear in PubMed with “StatPearls Publishing” in the citation line. Here is a typical chapter record on PubMed; note the publisher credit and update date on the landing page.
Contributor And Editorial Roles
Behind each chapter is a small team: authors who synthesize the topic, peer clinicians who check scope and claims, and editors who enforce format and clarity. The Bookshelf title page lists an editorial board. Company overview pages also describe a contributor base of thousands of authors and editors who maintain a large PubMed-indexed library.
When To Treat StatPearls Like A Peer-Reviewed Source
Use StatPearls confidently for background, definitions, pathophysiology summaries, exam prep, and quick care reminders. For high-stakes practice changes, read the primary trials and guidelines that StatPearls cites. That balance mirrors how clinicians use other point-of-care summaries.
Strengths You Get In Daily Use
- Coverage: Thousands of chapters across specialties, from core physiology to niche procedures.
- Freshness: Continuous updates with a floor of review every three years.
- Practicality: Clear sections (introduction, evaluation, management, complications, and more).
- Traceability: Sourced statements and graded recommendations make it easy to chase the primary literature.
Limitations To Keep In Mind
- Scope: It’s a clinical reference, not a venue for original trial reports.
- Regional Tilt: Many examples reflect U.S. practice; cross-check local guidance when standards vary.
- Variability: Depth can vary by chapter because contributors differ.
Citing StatPearls Chapters Correctly
The safest way to cite is to use the NCBI Bookshelf version of the chapter, include the specific chapter URL, and add the date you accessed it. If your style guide calls for the publisher location, use “Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing.” If your question is, “are statpearls articles peer-reviewed?” and you’re writing a paper, this citation method makes the review and update trail visible to readers.
Model Citation Line
Author AB, Author CD. Topic Title. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Year-. Updated Month Day, Year. Available from: chapter URL. Accessed Month Day, Year.
Citation Styles Cheat Sheet
- APA 7: Include authors, year, chapter title, “In: StatPearls [Internet],” publisher, update date, URL, and access date.
- Vancouver: Author(s). Title. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; Year-. [Updated Year Month Day]. Available from: URL. [Accessed Year Month Day].
- Harvard: Author(s) Year, Title, in StatPearls [Internet], StatPearls Publishing, update date, viewed date, URL.
How Peer Review Here Compares With A Journal
Both models rely on expert checks, but the workflow differs. Journals batch manuscripts into issues and tend to lock the text after publication. StatPearls keeps chapters open for revision and shows the latest update on the record.
| Feature | StatPearls Chapters | Traditional Journal |
|---|---|---|
| Publication Rhythm | Continuous, chapter-level updates | Issue-based, fixed after print |
| Peer Review Form | Expert editorial and subject review before posting; re-review on updates | External peer review before acceptance |
| Visibility Of Revisions | Bookshelf shows “updated” date; changes highlighted on platform | Corrections via errata or new papers |
| Speed To Readers | Fast posting once checks pass | Submission-to-publication can take months |
| Indexing | Bookshelf record; many chapters in PubMed | Journal indexed in databases |
| Best Use | Point-of-care review, exam prep | Primary research reports |
| Citation Detail | Include update date and URL | Include volume, issue, pages |
Practical Steps To Check A Chapter’s Review Status
- Open the chapter on Bookshelf and note the “Updated” date near the top.
- Scan the contributor list for authors and editors.
- Scroll to the references and see the mix of guideline documents and trials.
- On StatPearls, look for highlighted update badges and the evidence grading box.
- If something seems off, use the error-reporting link to alert the team.
Quick Walkthrough: Finding A StatPearls Chapter In PubMed
Type the topic plus “StatPearls” into PubMed. Open the result that lists “StatPearls Publishing” as the source. You will see a chapter landing page with an abstract, authors, and a link back to Bookshelf. That trail shows the chain from PubMed to the chapter text.
How Often Articles Update And Why It Matters
Clinical information moves fast. StatPearls addresses this by running continuous updates across the library and by setting a minimum re-review cycle of three years. That floor matters when you cite a chapter for coursework or patient care. It keeps definitions, diagnostic criteria, and dosing out of the “stale zone.” The platform also lets readers flag content for earlier review when new data emerges, which helps the editors route updates quickly. You can see the written policy in the StatPearls help center.
Tips For Students And Residents
- Start broad, then narrow: Read the StatPearls chapter to get oriented, then open the guideline or landmark trials in the reference list.
- Quote with dates: Include the Bookshelf update date and your access date in your citation.
- Mind local standards: Some dosing or screening recommendations differ by country. Cross-check your hospital handbook or national guideline.
- Use it at the bedside: The sectioned format makes it easy to skim evaluation steps, complications, and patient counseling points.
Comparison To Other Reference Types You Use
Against Clinical Guidelines
Guidelines synthesize primary studies and expert consensus for a single question. StatPearls gives you a broader, chapter-length view with links to those guidelines. Use both: StatPearls for orientation and reminders; the guideline for specific thresholds and algorithms.
Against Primary Studies
Trials give you methods, numbers, and fine print. StatPearls points to those papers and tells you what they mean in clinic. When you need the exact inclusion criteria or hazard ratios, click through and read the study.
Against Textbooks
Printed textbooks are useful for depth but go out of date fast. StatPearls stays current because chapters can update any week.
When Not To Rely Solely On StatPearls
For credentialing reports, systematic reviews, or policy memos, you need original studies and formal guidelines. StatPearls helps you find them quickly, but it is still a secondary source. Quote it when you need a citable overview, and pair it with the primary literature when the stakes are high.
Bottom Line: Trusted, Reviewed, And Kept Current
Yes. The platform runs expert checks before chapters go live, maintains a three-year minimum re-review cycle with continuous updates, and hosts content on an NLM platform that exposes it through Bookshelf and PubMed. That mix gives you a citable, transparent reference for study and point-of-care decisions.