Evolution of proton pump inhibitor research in reflux esophagitis: a Web of Science-based global bibliometric assessment [1990-2026].

BACKGROUND

Reflux esophagitis remains a prevalent acid-related disorder with an increasing global burden, yet the growing challenges of refractory disease and the transition toward newer acid-suppressing agents highlight critical knowledge gaps. This study aimed to analyze the global research trends and identify emerging hotspots in proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) treatment for reflux esophagitis through a Web of Science-based bibliometric analysis [1990-2026].

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) on June 18, 2026, using MeSH-derived terms. Only English-language original research articles were included. Two independent researchers manually screened all records for relevance. The analysis was performed using VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and the "bibliometrix" package of R.

RESULTS

A total of 338 articles were included. Publications showed an overall upward trend with an annual growth rate of 2%. Japan emerged as the leading country (111 publications), followed by the United States [59] and China [38]. The American Journal of Gastroenterology and the Journal of Gastroenterology were the most influential journals. Keyword co-occurrence analysis identified five major research clusters spanning clinical assessment, pathophysiological mechanisms, disease classification, pharmacological evaluation, and comparative clinical trials, with research evolving from early PPI efficacy studies [1991-2005] to disease mechanisms [2005-2015] and to patient-centered outcomes [2015-2026].

CONCLUSIONS

Three distinct research phases were identified in PPI treatment for reflux esophagitis. Current research insufficiently addresses the long-term impact of PPIs on gut microbiome and the comparative effectiveness of emerging potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs). Future research should prioritize pharmacogenetic optimization, real-world evidence generation for novel therapeutic agents, and enhanced international collaboration.