Global status of research on Barrett's esophagus based on the Web of Science core collection (2016-2025): a...

Barrett's esophagus (BE) is the key precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC). With the rapid evolution of BE management-including the emergence of non-endoscopic screening modalities such as the capsule sponge and the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into endoscopic surveillance-a comprehensive understanding of the global research landscape over the past decade is clinically imperative to inform surveillance strategies, early intervention, and precision care. This study therefore aimed to systematically characterize the global research landscape of BE over the past decade by using bibliometric and visualization analysis to map publication trends, collaboration networks, co-citation structures, and keyword clusters, thereby identifying the evolving research hotspots and intellectual foundations of the field.

A systematic literature retrieval was performed in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) on October 14, 2025, covering publications from January 1, 2016 to August 8, 2025. The search strategy was based on title-field terms covering all Barrett's esophagus synonyms. Inclusion criteria included: original research articles focused on BE. Exclusion criteria were: non-English publications, letters, case reports, editorials, meeting abstracts, and studies unrelated to BE. A total of 1,239 articles were retained and analyzed using CiteSpace (version 6.3.R1), EndNote X9, and GraphPad Prism 9.3.1 to evaluate annual publication trends, country/institution/author cooperation networks, co-citation patterns, keyword clusters, and burst-term dynamics.

The volume of global BE publications exhibited a significant upward trajectory through 2021, with the USA emerging as the most prolific contributor to both scientific output and international collaborative networks. Major institutions and influential authors formed dense cooperative clusters. Co-citation networks highlighted Gastroenterology, American Journal of Gastroenterology, and landmark guidelines as intellectual foundations of the field. Keyword clustering revealed five main themes, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), radiofrequency ablation, cancer progression, and management. The evolutionary trajectory of research hotspots transitioned from early epidemiologic and pathogenesis-oriented topics [2016-2018] to dysplasia and cancer-risk stratification [2018-2020], and most recently toward guideline updates, endoscopic eradication therapy (EET), endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), and AI-assisted surveillance [2020-2025].

Research on BE is transitioning from descriptive epidemiology and early therapeutic studies toward precision management and technology-driven approaches. These bibliometric findings carry important clinical implications: they support the prioritization of risk-stratified surveillance, the integration of AI-assisted detection into endoscopic practice, and the harmonization of guideline-based eradication strategies. Persistent gaps remain in real-world implementation, cost-effectiveness, and equitable access to advanced endoscopic technologies, which should be addressed in future investigations.