Artificial Intelligence in Diabetic Kidney Disease Research: Bibliometric Analysis From 2006 to 2024

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease globally. Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies have shown increasing potential in DKD research for early detection, risk prediction, and disease management. However, the landscape of AI applications in this field remains incompletely mapped, especially in terms of collaboration networks, thematic evolution, and clinical translation.

This study aims to perform a comprehensive bibliometric and translational analysis of AI-related DKD research published between 2006 and 2024, identifying publication trends, research hotspots, key contributors, collaboration patterns, and the extent of clinical validation and explainability.

A systematic search of the Web of Science Core Collection was conducted to identify English-language original articles applying AI technologies to DKD. Articles were screened following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) 2020 guidelines. Bibliometric visualization was performed using CiteSpace and VOSviewer to assess coauthorship, institutional and country collaboration, keyword evolution, and citation bursts. A qualitative review was conducted to evaluate clinical validation, model explainability, and real-world implementation.

Out of 1158 retrieved records, 384 studies met the inclusion criteria. Global publications on AI in DKD increased rapidly after 2019. China led in publication volume, followed by the United States, India, and Iran. Keyword analysis showed a thematic transition from early biomarker and proteomic research to deep learning, clinical prediction models, and management tools. Despite methodological advances, few studies included external validation or explainability frameworks. Notable translational efforts included DeepMind's acute kidney injury predictor and a chronic kidney disease prediction model developed by Sumit, yet widespread real-world integration remains limited.

AI research in DKD has grown substantially over the past 2 decades, with expanding international collaboration and diversification of research themes. However, challenges persist in clinical applicability, model transparency, and global inclusivity. Future research should prioritize explainable AI, multicenter validation, and integration into clinical workflows to support effective translation of AI innovations into DKD care.