Bibliometric insights into systemic sclerosis with renal involvement: trends, contributions, and future directions

Renal involvement is not uncommon in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and presents in various forms, particularly progressing to scleroderma renal crisis (SRC), which is associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, understanding the research trends in this field is critical for advancing clinical management and therapeutic strategies.

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection, examining publications related to SSc and renal involvement from January 2000 to November 2024. We analyzed publication trends, key contributors, institutions, and countries.

A total of 1,339 publications were identified in the field of SSc and renal involvement, demonstrating an upward trend in publication volume from 2000 to 2024. These articles have been cited a total of 61,234 times, with the majority of contributions coming from the United States, Italy, and East Asian countries. The University of Michigan and University College London were particularly prominent in terms of both publication volume and collaboration networks. Keyword analysis revealed a shift in research focus, with increasing attention on clinical aspects, pathophysiological mechanisms, and vascular complications.

This study provides a comprehensive overview of the research landscape on SSc with renal involvement, highlighting the key contributors and emerging trends.