Ankylosing spondylitis and the gut microbiome: future research hotspots and trends

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is an autoimmune disease. Its exact cause remains unclear. It is generally believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, as well as immune disorders. However, growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota plays a key role in the pathogenesis of AS. Therefore, this study aims to systematically analyze the current state of research on AS and the gut microbiome. It also explores future research hotspots.

We searched the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and PubMed databases, including relevant literature on AS and the gut microbiome published up to January 1, 2026. We then performed a visualized bibliometric analysis using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix software.

The WoSCC dataset included 165 articles. Both the annual publication volume and citation counts showed an upward trend. Brown, Ma, and Liu B were the most productive authors. Regarding country output, China ranked first with 60 articles, followed by the USA with 36. Major contributing institutions were also primarily located in China and the USA. Current research hotspots focus on inflammation, Mendelian randomization, HLA-B27, probiotics, and short-chain fatty acids. A validation analysis using the PubMed database (115 articles) yielded results consistent with the WoSCC findings.

Our study provides key insights into the relationship between the gut microbiota and AS. It clarifies current research hotspots and development trends. Future researchers should conduct prospective studies to confirm causality and combine multi-omics analysis to reveal underlying molecular mechanisms.