Bibliometric analysis of cognitive impairment secondary to chronic kidney disease

Cognitive impairment (CI) is a common complication in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients, affecting 10% to 50% of individuals depending on disease stage. Despite its clinical significance, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear, and effective interventions are lacking. This bibliometric analysis aimed to comprehensively map the research landscape of CI secondary to CKD from 1995 to 2024, identifying trends, key contributors, and evolving foci.

A total of 1783 English original articles and reviews were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric analysis was performed using R-bibliometrix (v4.4.2), CiteSpace (v6.3.1), and Excel 2024. Metrics included annual publications, country/affiliation contributions, journal impact (H-index, Bradford Law), citation analysis (local/global citations), author influence (H-index), keyword co-occurrence, burst detection, and thematic evolution.

Publications surged after 2016, with the United States leading output (nearly 500 articles) and collaborations. The University of California System was the top affiliation (n = 243). Core journals were Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation, American Journal of Kidney Diseases, and Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Yaffe K was the most influential author (H-index = 19). Key articles by Kurella M and Murray AM were highly cited. Keyword analysis revealed shifting themes: early research focused on prevalence and clinical associations, while current hotspots emphasized molecular mechanisms (α-Klotho, NLRP3 inflammasome) and comorbidities (fatty liver disease).

Research on CKD-associated CI has expanded significantly, with a paradigm shift toward mechanistic exploration. The USA dominates scholarly output, and interdisciplinary collaboration is critical. Emerging themes highlight the roles of inflammation, metabolic dysregulation, and organ crosstalk. These insights inform future research directions, clinical screening strategies, and therapeutic targeting for CI in CKD.