Author Guidelines

1. Introduction
 

Anatolian Current Medical Journal (ACMJ) accepts submissions in English, which is the sole language of publication and editorial processing. Manuscripts must be original, approved by all authors, and must not have been previously published or be under consideration elsewhere. All submissions are processed through an online submission system.
 

2. Manuscript Preparation: General Formatting

Manuscripts must be prepared in Microsoft Word, using A4 paper size with 2.5 cm margins on all sides. Text must be double-spaced in 12-point Times New Roman font. International System of Units (SI) should be used.

The following formatting rules apply:

• Abbreviations must be defined upon first use in both the abstract and main text.
• Authors should avoid abbreviations in the title.
• Decimal points should be indicated by a dot (e.g., 55.78).
• When mentioning a drug, product, hardware, or software, the product name, manufacturer, city, and country must be provided in parentheses.
• The main document file must be blinded for peer review, with all author and institutional identifiers removed.

Text and tables should be in MS Word format. Figures and images should be submitted in JPEG format with a minimum resolution of 300 DPI.

3. Article Types and Requirements

Authors must select the appropriate article type at the time of submission. Each article type has specific requirements regarding structure, abstract format, word count, references, tables, and figures. Manuscripts that do not comply with the relevant article-type requirements may be returned to the authors for technical revision before editorial evaluation.

Authors must select the appropriate article type at the time of submission. Each article type has specific requirements for manuscript structure, abstract format and length, number of references, and tables and figures. There are no restrictions on main text word count or page length for any article type. However, authors are expected to present their work clearly and concisely and to ensure that the length of the manuscript is proportionate to the nature and scope of the study.

There is no numerical limit on tables and figures for Original Research Articles, Randomized Controlled Trials, Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, Narrative Reviews, Case Reports, Case Series, or Brief Reports. Nevertheless, all tables and figures must be relevant, necessary, and proportionate to the scientific content of the manuscript.

Manuscripts that do not comply with the requirements for their article type may be returned to the authors for technical revision before editorial evaluation.

3.1. Original Research Article

Original Research Articles report original clinical, observational, diagnostic, epidemiological, translational, laboratory, or experimental research relevant to Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Hematology, Oncology, Medical Research, Basic Medical Sciences, Public Health, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Genetic, Surgical Medicine, General Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Oncologic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Medical Education, Diagnostic Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, Nutritional Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, Neurology and Neurosciences, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Telemedicine and Digital Health.

Original Research Articles report original clinical, observational, diagnostic, epidemiological, translational, laboratory, or experimental research relevant to Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Hematology, Oncology, Medical Research, Basic Medical Sciences, Public Health, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Genetic, Surgical Medicine, General Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Oncologic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Medical Education, Diagnostic Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, Nutritional Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, Neurology and Neurosciences, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Telemedicine and Digital Health.

• Abstract: Structured under the headings Aims, Methods, Results, and Conclusion; 150–500 words.
• Keywords: 3–6 keywords selected from Medical Subject Headings (MeSH).
• Main Text: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Limitations, Conclusion, Acknowledgments, Funding, Conflict of Interest, Data Availability Statement, and References, as applicable.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: 10–80.
• Tables and Figures: No numerical limit.
• Ethics: Ethics committee approval is required for studies involving human participants, human data, animals, or biological materials, unless a documented exemption applies.
• Reporting Guidelines: Authors should follow the appropriate EQUATOR Network reporting guideline for the study design.

3.2. Randomized Controlled Trial

Randomized Controlled Trials report prospective studies in which participants are randomly assigned to one or more healthcare interventions.

• Abstract: Structured under the headings Aims, Methods, Results, and Conclusion; 150–500 words.
• Keywords: 3–6 MeSH terms.
• Main Text: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Limitations, Conclusion, Acknowledgments, Funding, Conflict of Interest, Data Availability Statement, and References.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: 10–80.
• Tables and Figures: No numerical limit.
• Trial Registration: The trial must be registered in a publicly accessible registry recognized by the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) or in another internationally recognized registry. The registry name and registration number must be stated in both the abstract and the Methods section.
• Ethics: Ethics committee approval and informed consent must be reported, as applicable.
• Reporting Guidelines: Manuscripts must comply with the current CONSORT guidelines and include the relevant checklist and flow diagram.

3.3. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses provide a structured and reproducible synthesis of available evidence addressing a clearly defined research question.

• Abstract: Structured under the headings Aims, Methods, Results, and Conclusion; 150–500 words.
• Keywords: 3–6 MeSH terms.
• Main Text: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Limitations, Conclusion, Acknowledgments, Funding, Conflict of Interest, Data Availability Statement, and References.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: 20–80.
• Tables and Figures: No numerical limit.
• Protocol Registration: Authors are strongly encouraged to register the review protocol prospectively in an appropriate registry, such as PROSPERO, where applicable.
• Reporting Guidelines: Manuscripts must follow the current PRISMA guidelines and include the relevant checklist and flow diagram.
• Ethics: Ethical approval is generally not required for studies based exclusively on previously published data. Authors must state whether ethical approval was required.

3.4. Narrative Review

Narrative Reviews provide a comprehensive, critical, and evidence-based overview of a clinically or scientifically relevant topic in Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Hematology, Oncology, Medical Research, Basic Medical Sciences, Public Health, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Genetic, Surgical Medicine, General Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Oncologic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Medical Education, Diagnostic Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, Nutritional Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, Neurology and Neurosciences, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Telemedicine and Digital Health.

• Abstract: Unstructured; 150–500 words.
• Keywords: 3–6 MeSH terms.
• Main Text: Structured according to the topic and scope of the review.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: 20–80.
• Tables and Figures: No numerical limit.
• Ethics: Ethical approval is not normally required.
• Other: Reviews may be invited by the Editorial Board; unsolicited submissions are also considered.

3.5. Case Report

Case Reports describe rare, unusual, or educational clinical cases that provide significant diagnostic, therapeutic, or scientific insight.

• Abstract: Unstructured; 100–300 words.
• Keywords: 3–6 MeSH terms.
• Main Text: Introduction, Case Presentation, Discussion, and Conclusion.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: 5–30.
• Tables and Figures: No numerical limit.
• Patient Consent: Written informed consent for publication must be obtained from the patient or from their legally authorized representative, as applicable.
• Reporting Guidelines: Authors should follow the CARE guidelines.

3.6. Case Series

Case Series describe a group of patients with similar diagnoses, treatments, clinical characteristics, or outcomes that provide meaningful clinical or scientific observations.

• Abstract: Unstructured; 100–300 words.
• Keywords: 3–6 MeSH terms.
• Main Text: Introduction, Methods or Description of the Case Series, Results or Case Presentations, Discussion, and Conclusion.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: 5–30.
• Tables and Figures: No numerical limit.
• Ethics: Ethics committee approval or documentation of an institutional exemption must be provided where required.
• Patient Consent: Written informed consent for publication must be obtained if individual patients may be identifiable.

3.7. Brief Report

Brief Reports present preliminary, focused, or novel research findings that can be communicated concisely and do not require a full-length Original Research Article.

• Abstract: Structured under the headings Aims, Methods, Results, and Conclusion; 100–300 words.
• Keywords: 3–6 MeSH terms.
• Main Text: Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion, as applicable.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: 5–30.
• Tables and Figures: No numerical limit.
• Ethics: Ethical approval must be provided where applicable.
• Data Availability Statement: Required for studies presenting original research data.

3.8. Letter to the Editor

Letters to the Editor provide concise scientific comments on articles published in ACMJ or address current clinical, scientific, or professional issues relevant to the journal's scope.

• Abstract: Not required and should not be included.
• Keywords: Not required.
• Main Text: Unstructured.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: 1–20.
• Tables and Figures: A maximum of one table and one figure.
• Authors: A maximum of five authors is recommended.
• Other: Letters commenting on a published ACMJ article should clearly identify that article.

3.9. Editorial

Editorials provide authoritative commentary on important developments, controversies, policies, or articles published in ACMJ. Editorials are generally invited by the Editor-in-Chief or Editorial Board.

• Abstract: Not required and should not be included.
• Keywords: Optional.
• Main Text: Unstructured.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: Up to 20; no minimum. References should be provided whenever scientific claims, published findings, or external sources are discussed.
• Tables and Figures: A maximum of one table and one figure.
• Other: Unsolicited editorials may be considered at the discretion of the Editor-in-Chief.

3.10. Expert Opinion / Perspective

Expert Opinion and Perspective articles provide scholarly interpretation, forward-looking analysis, or informed discussion of emerging developments, unresolved questions, novel concepts, technologies, therapeutic approaches, or policy issues relevant to Clinical Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Geriatrics, Family Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Preventive Medicine, Infectious Diseases, Endocrinology, Pulmonology, Cardiology, Gastroenterology, Nephrology, Rheumatology, Hematology, Oncology, Medical Research, Basic Medical Sciences, Public Health, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Genetic, Surgical Medicine, General Surgery, Surgical Techniques, Trauma and Emergency Surgery, Transplant Surgery, Oncologic Surgery, Vascular Surgery, Medical Education, Diagnostic Medicine, Laboratory Medicine, Pathology, Nutritional Medicine, Lifestyle Medicine, Occupational Medicine, Psychiatry, Psychological Medicine, Neurology and Neurosciences, Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Telemedicine and Digital Health.

• Abstract: Unstructured; 150–300 words.
• Keywords: 3–6 MeSH terms.
• Main Text: Flexible structure appropriate to the subject matter.
• Main Text Length: No word or page limit.
• References: Up to 20; no minimum. Scientific claims and interpretations must be supported by appropriate references.
• Tables and Figures: A maximum of one table and one figure.
• Other: These articles may be invited or submitted unsolicited. Opinions and interpretations must be clearly supported by relevant scientific evidence, and all competing interests must be fully disclosed.

4. Reporting Guidelines

Anatolian Current Medical Journal (ACMJ) is committed to promoting complete, transparent, accurate, and reproducible reporting of biomedical and clinical research.

Authors are required to prepare manuscripts in accordance with the reporting guideline appropriate to the study design. ACMJ recommends the reporting guidelines endorsed and indexed by the EQUATOR (Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency Of health Research) Network.

Authors should submit the relevant completed checklist and, where applicable, a flow diagram as supplementary material together with the manuscript. Page numbers indicating where each reporting item is addressed should be provided in the checklist.

The principal reporting guidelines applicable to manuscripts submitted to ACMJ are summarized below:

Authors should use the most recent version of the relevant reporting guideline and any applicable extensions.

For study designs not specifically listed above, authors should consult the EQUATOR Network Reporting Guideline Database to identify the most appropriate guideline.

Where a reporting guideline has a study-specific extension—for example, for cluster randomized trials, pilot and feasibility studies, non-inferiority trials, or other specialized study designs—the relevant extension should also be followed.

Compliance with a reporting guideline does not replace compliance with ACMJ's ethical, methodological, statistical, or editorial requirements. The Editorial Board may request additional documentation or reporting checklists during the evaluation process.

4.1. Randomized Controlled Trials

Randomized controlled trials must be reported in accordance with the current CONSORT guideline, including CONSORT 2025 and any relevant extension applicable to the study design.

A completed CONSORT checklist and participant flow diagram must be submitted with the manuscript.

Clinical trials must be prospectively registered in a publicly accessible clinical trial registry recognized by the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP) or another internationally recognized registry, where applicable.

The registry name, registration number, and registration date must be stated at the end of the abstract and in the Methods section.

4.2. Observational Studies

Cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies must follow the STROBE reporting guideline and any applicable extensions.

Authors should clearly describe participant selection, eligibility criteria, exposures, outcomes, potential sources of bias, statistical methods, and handling of missing data.

4.3. Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses must be reported according to the current PRISMA guideline and relevant extensions.

A completed PRISMA checklist and flow diagram must accompany the submission.

Prospective registration of systematic review protocols in an appropriate registry, such as PROSPERO, is strongly encouraged where applicable.

Protocols for systematic reviews should follow PRISMA-P.

4.4. Diagnostic and Prognostic Studies

Diagnostic accuracy studies must follow the STARD reporting guideline.

Studies developing, validating, or updating diagnostic or prognostic prediction models should follow the applicable TRIPOD guideline.

4.5. Case Reports

Case Reports must comply with the CARE reporting guideline.

A completed CARE checklist may be requested during submission or peer review. Written informed consent for publication must be obtained from the patient or legally authorized representative in accordance with applicable regulations.

4.6. Animal and Preclinical Research

Animal and preclinical studies should comply with the current ARRIVE reporting guideline.

Authors must provide details regarding ethical approval, animal characteristics, experimental procedures, sample size determination, randomization, blinding, statistical analyses, and measures taken to minimize animal suffering.

4.7. Qualitative Research

Qualitative studies should follow an appropriate reporting guideline according to the methodological approach used.

Authors are encouraged to use:

• SRQR (Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research); and/or
• COREQ (Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research), particularly for studies based on interviews and focus groups.

4.8. Other Study Designs

Quality improvement studies should follow SQUIRE, health economic evaluations should follow CHEERS, and clinical practice guidelines should follow an appropriate guideline-development and reporting framework such as AGREE and/or RIGHT.

For manuscript types or methodologies not specifically addressed in this section, authors should identify and follow the most appropriate reporting standard listed in the EQUATOR Network database.

5. Manuscript Submission

The entire submission process is completed online. The submission should be divided into SEPARATE files:

5.1. Cover Letter
Must include the article title, corresponding author's name, article type, and statements regarding:

• Conflict of interest (presence or absence).
• Confirmation that the manuscript is original, not published elsewhere, and not under simultaneous consideration.
• Details of any previous presentations (date, place, format).

5.2. Title Page
A separate file containing:

• The full manuscript title must not exceed 150 characters, and the running title must not exceed 50 characters.
• Full names, affiliations, ORCID IDs, and e-mail addresses of all authors.
• Corresponding author's contact information.
• Acknowledgments and funding statements.
• Information on previous presentations, if applicable.

5.3. Main Document
A blinded file containing, in order:

• Abstract and Keywords: Abstract and keywords should be provided according to the requirements of the selected article type. For all article types requiring keywords, 3–6 keywords must be provided and must be selected from MeSH (Medical Subject Headings).
• Main Text: Structured according to article type.
• References: Numbered consecutively in the order of citation.
• Figure Legends: Listed on a separate page after references.

5.4. Tables
Each table should be submitted as a separate file, numbered consecutively, and cited in the text.

5.5. Figures
Each figure should be uploaded as a separate file in JPEG format (min. 300 DPI). Any identifying information must be blinded.

5.6. Ethics Committee Approval Form
A copy of the ethics committee approval must be provided for all relevant studies, stating the committee name, date, and approval number.

5.7. Copyright Agreement and Acknowledgement of Authorship Form
All authors must meet the ICMJE authorship criteria. The corresponding author must complete and sign the Copyright Agreement and License to Publish Form on behalf of all authors and confirm that he/she is authorized by all co-authors to do so.

5.8. ICMJE Conflict of Interest Form
The completed form must be submitted with the manuscript.

5.9. Data Availability Statement
A Data Availability Statement is mandatory for all Original Articles. When the data can be shared publicly, the relevant dataset and supporting materials should be deposited in the TÜBİTAK ULAKBİM Aperta Open Archive System, where applicable, and a persistent identifier (e.g., DOI) or permanent link must be provided in the Data Availability Statement. If the data cannot be shared publicly due to ethical, legal, privacy, confidentiality, or other justified restrictions, the reason must be clearly stated in the Data Availability Statement.

6. References

References must follow the AMA-11 style and be numbered consecutively in the order they are cited in the text using superscript Arabic numerals.

Examples:

• Journal Article: Freund KB, Staurenghi G, Jung JJ, et al. Macular neovascularization lesion type and vision outcomes in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: Post hoc analysis of HARBOR. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2022;260(8):2437-2447.
• Book Chapter: Bliss CM, Wolfe M. Chapter 34. Common clinical manifestations of gastrointestinal disease. In: Andreoli TE, Cecil RL, eds. Andreoli’s and Carpenter's Cecil Essentials of Medicine. 8th ed. Saunders/Elsevier; 2010:382-400.
• Online Article: Morse SS. Factors affecting the emergence of infectious diseases. Emerg Infect Dis [serial online] 1995 Jan-Mar [cited 1996 June 5]: 1(1). Available from: URL.

When there are six or fewer authors, all should be listed. For seven or more, list the first three followed by "et al."

7. ORCID

Providing a valid ORCID iD is mandatory for all authors. The ORCID iD of each author must be provided on the Title Page and must correspond to the correct author. iDs can be registered at https://orcid.org/register.

8. Publication Process

The editorial and publication process consists of the following stages:

Initial Screening: The submitted manuscript is checked for compliance with journal requirements and basic submission criteria.
Editorial Scope Check: The manuscript is evaluated for suitability within the scope of the journal and relevant scientific field.
Peer Reviewer Assignment: Appropriate reviewers are assigned for scientific evaluation.
Editorial Decision: The Editor makes a decision based on reviewer comments. If necessary, authors are invited to submit a revised version of the manuscript.
Acceptance or Rejection: The manuscript is either accepted for publication or rejected based on the evaluation process.
Final Proofreading: Accepted manuscripts undergo final editorial, language, ethical-information, reference, formatting, and technical checks in accordance with the MediHealth Academy Final Control Checklist.
Typesetting: The manuscript is prepared for publication format.
Publication: The final version is published online and/or in the scheduled issue.