Global trends in chronic kidney disease related cognitive impairment/dementia: a bibliometric analysis (2005-2025)

Research at the intersection of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cognitive impairment/dementia has received increasing attention in recent years. This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of 7,971 English-language articles and reviews published between 2005 and 2025 and retrieved from Web of Science and Scopus. VOSviewer and CiteSpace were used for bibliometric visualization and network analysis. Publication trends, contributing countries/regions, institutions, authors, core journals, co-citation patterns, and keyword evolution were systematically examined. The included publications involved 12,719 authors from 150 countries to 13,280 institutions. Hooper SR and Kurella Tamura were among the most influential contributors in terms of productivity and impact. PLOS ONE had the highest number of publications, whereas The Lancet was the most frequently co-cited journal. Since 2014, 18 highly influential references have shown sustained citation bursts, mainly related to the kidney-brain axis and clinical outcomes. Keyword trends shifted from early themes such as dialysis and survival to cognitive health and quality of life, with recent emphasis on machine learning, electronic health records, and patient-centered care. Overall, the field has shown continuous growth, with North America and Europe occupying central positions in the collaboration network and with emerging trends indicating increasing attention to data-driven methods and patient-centered approaches.