Rheumatic diseases and gut microbiota publications in 2002-2022: a Scopus-based bibliometric analysis

Rheumatic diseases (RDs) include a variety of autoimmune disorders defined by severe inflammation, primarily affecting the joints, tendons, ligaments, bones, and muscles. Recent research has revealed the association between rheumatic diseases and gut microbiota, thereby providing insights into the underlying mechanisms of disease pathogenesis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the quantity and quality of scientific research regarding the association between RDs and gut microbiota, as well as to elucidate the characteristics of worldwide research output in this field. The present bibliometric analysis was carried out using the Scopus database, using the keywords "rheumatology," "arthritis," and "gut microbiota." The study involved determining the number of articles, the number of active countries with journals, the identification of prolific authors, and the collection of citation data. Additionally, analyses of trends were conducted. 503 articles in all were reviewed. Collaboration networks were visualized using mapping techniques. The number of articles on RDs and gut microbiota exhibited a consistent pattern from 2002 to 2022 (p < 0.05). The five most productive countries were China (n = 128; 25.45%), the United States (n = 101; 20.07%), Italy (n = 40; 7.95%), the United Kingdom (n = 20; 3.98%), and Japan (n = 17; 3.38%). Israel, Italy, Belgium, and Portugal had the highest values regarding the number of articles per million population. Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom were the top three countries regarding average citation count. This bibliometric analysis evaluates and synthesizes global scientific output on RDs and gut microbiota. The literature on the association between rheumatic diseases and gut microbiota is growing. Supporting researchers in countries with limited involvement in this field will contribute to its growth.