Global trends and evidence on dyslipidemia in ischemic stroke: An integrative scientometric and meta-analytic review

Dyslipidemia has been identified as an important modifiable risk factor for ischemic stroke (IS); however, inconsistent findings have limited its translational application. This study aimed to integrate scientometric and meta-analytic approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of lipid abnormalities in IS. A scientometric analysis of 1,962 publications published between 2005 and 2024 revealed evolving research trends, ranging from traditional studies of lipid metabolism to investigations of molecular mechanisms involving high-density lipoprotein (HDL) dysfunction, lipidomics, and precision prevention. A meta-analysis of 13 eligible studies demonstrated that patients with IS had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC; mean difference (MD) = 0.94 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.36-1.52), triglycerides (TG; MD = 0.37 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.19-0.55), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C; MD = 0.66 mmol/L, 95% CI: 0.33-0.99), as well as lower levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C; MD = -0.30 mmol/L, 95% CI: -0.41 to -0.18), with all comparisons reaching statistical significance (p < 0.001). These findings indicate a strong association between dyslipidemia and the risk of IS. The integration of bibliometric and quantitative evidence underscores the importance of comprehensive lipid screening and management in stroke prevention and provides a dual-framework model linking academic research trends with clinical decision-making.