Current status and emerging trends in biological therapies for ankylosing spondylitis: A bibliometric analysis (2004-2024).

BACKGROUND

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by pain and stiffness in the spine and sacroiliac joints. It significantly reduces quality of life and imposes substantial social and economic burdens. Advances in understanding AS have led to the development of biological therapies, including tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, interleukin-17 inhibitors, and Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, which show promise in managing symptoms and improving patient outcomes. This study aims to explore the overall research trends and future directions in this field using bibliometric methods.

METHODS

This study conducted a bibliometric analysis of research on biological therapies for AS from 2004 to 2024. We searched the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed databases for relevant studies and used tools such as Microsoft Excel, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer to analyze publication trends, citation patterns, and research hotspots. The analysis focused on identifying key research areas, influential publications, and emerging trends in the field.

RESULTS

Our findings revealed a significant increase in publications, citations, and scholarly involvement over the past 2 decades. The United States, China, and Germany were the leading countries in publication numbers. Key research areas included the efficacy of biological agents, personalized treatment strategies, and combination therapies. The most cited studies focused on the clinical impact of tumor necrosis factor-α inhibitors, interleukin-17 inhibitors, and emerging therapies such as Janus kinase inhibitors. Future research is expected to explore dual-target biologics, new cytokine pathways, gene therapy, and the impact of biological therapies on the gut microbiota.

CONCLUSION

This bibliometric analysis highlights the growing interest in biological therapies for AS, identifying research gaps and future directions to enhance treatment and improve patient outcomes. The findings underscore the need for further research on the long-term efficacy and safety of biological agents and the development of personalized and combination therapies to address the complex challenges posed by AS.