Understanding Ureteropelvic Junction Obstruction From a Scientometric Perspective: How Is the Global Research Activity and Collaboration Going?

OBJECTIVE

Ureteropelvic junction obstruction (UPJO) has been identified as the most prevalent cause of prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis, characterized by a reduction in urine flow from the renal pelvis into the ureter. Management of this condition poses a significant clinical challenge, given the difficulty in differentiating between mild and benign cases and those with the potential to progress to severe renal impairment. This study is aimed at clarifying the global research activity and collaborative trends in UPJO research by undertaking a scientometric analysis, with the objective of providing valuable insights into the state of UPJO research.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Publications relevant to UPJO published between 1945 and 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. The metrological software and graphing tools utilized included Bibliometrix 4.1.1, VOSviewer 1.6.20, GraphPad Prism 10, and Microsoft Excel 2020.

RESULTS

A total of 1447 publications between 1948 and 2024 were included. The United States contributed the most publications (n = 456, 31.5%), and the most productive journal is the Journal of Urology (n = 340, 23.5%). The latest keywords "classification", "improvement", and "assisted laparoscopic pyeloplasty" mainly appeared since 2020.

CONCLUSIONS

In recent decades, UPJO research has undergone consistent advancement, encompassing a multitude of disciplines and innovative therapeutic strategies. The predominant research initiatives have been concentrated in a select number of high-income countries. To facilitate further progress in this domain, there is a need to fortify international collaborations and promote translational research.