Global research trends and emerging focus areas in IgG4-related disease: a bibliometric and visual analysis

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic autoimmune condition marked by fibroinflammatory infiltration, which may present as solitary or multiple masses and organ enlargement. In advanced stages, progression to multi-organ dysfunction or failure may occur, potentially resulting in mortality. This study aimed to examine the current status and evolving research trends in IgG4-RD from 2020 to 2024 through bibliometric and visualization methodologies.

A total of 1,084 English-language publications on IgG4-RD, dated from January 1, 2020, to October 22, 2024, were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric and visual analyses were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software to identify research trends, collaborative networks, and thematic developments.

The analysis included 1,084 publications, reflecting sustained research activity in the field over the examined period. The Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College accounted for the greatest number of publications. Among individual contributors, Wen Zhang was identified as the most prolific author. In terms of national output, China led in publication volume, whereas Japan exhibited the highest total citation frequency. Internal Medicine published the greatest number of articles, while Modern Rheumatology had the highest citation rate. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed prominent research themes, including "IgG4-related disease," "autoimmune pancreatitis," "case report," "Rituximab," and "Diagnosis."

The global research output on IgG4-RD has demonstrated notable growth in recent years. Further investigations focusing on the emerging thematic areas may yield valuable insights that can enhance clinical diagnosis and therapeutic approaches for individuals affected by IgG4-RD.