Global landscape of juvenile dermatomyositis research: a bibliometric analysis

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the most common and severe form of juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. We conducted a global mapping of the JDM scientific literature to assess publication trends, collaboration patterns, intellectual structure, and emerging priorities.

We identified English-language original articles on JDM published between 1976 and 2024 in the Web of Science Core Collection (Science Citation Index Expanded), limited to clinically relevant categories. Bibliometrix and VOSviewer were used to generate key bibliometric indicators. Disruption Index was applied to distinguish disruptive from consolidating work.

A total of 1113 articles were published in 201 journals by 5626 researchers. Publication output peaked in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 7.8%. The United States produced the largest number of publications, whereas the United Kingdom achieved the highest time-normalized citation rate. Recent research has increasingly focused on immunological endotyping, myositis-specific antibodies (MSAs), disease activity indices, and registry-based studies. Disruption Index analysis showed that disruptive contributions clustered around epidemiologic baselines, core outcome sets, treatment strategies, and clinical definitions.

JDM research has evolved into a measurement-driven, collaborative field focused on immunological profiling and standardized assessment. Strengthening international networks and registry-based designs may further accelerate progress in this rare disease domain.

This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of juvenile dermatomyositis research spanning nearly five decades. The study identifies key publication trends, intellectual structures, and disruptive contributions shaping the field. The findings demonstrate that international collaboration and standardization efforts significantly enhance citation impact and field-wide influence. The study provides a strategic roadmap for future research, emphasizing endotype-based classification, registry integration, and cross-specialty dissemination to accelerate progress in this rare disease.