Global research status and trends in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis from 2005 to 2024: a bibliometric analysis.

This bibliometric analysis aimed to delineate the evolving research landscape and priorities in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory disease. Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection, including 6567 relevant articles published between 2005 and 2024 for quantitative and visual analysis. The annual publication output demonstrated consistent growth, with the United States and the Free University of Berlin identified as the most productive country and institution, respectively. Author analysis revealed that Van der Heijde D. was the most prolific contributor, demonstrating exceptional citation impact. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified five major research clusters, including biological therapies, pathogenesis, disease assessment, epidemiology, and classification criteria. Furthermore, the key citation burst detection highlighted a strategic shift in research focus over time, with "axial spondyloarthritis" and "biological therapy" representing the most current frontiers. The intellectual landscape of ankylosing spondylitis treatment has evolved from tumor necrosis factor inhibitors to include interleukin-17 inhibitors, reflecting a deeper understanding of disease mechanisms. Future research is anticipated to increasingly explore precision medicine approaches and combination therapies.