Bibliometric analysis of research hotspots and trends in fecal microbiota transplantation for inflammatory bowel disease

Abstract:

[Background] Since no effective method is available in clinical practice to cure inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an increasing number of researchers are applying fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) to the treatment of IBD, hoping to develop safe and effective supplementary therapies. [Objective] To present innovative research concepts and avenues for clinical medical practitioners by reviewing the research hotspots and frontiers concerning FMT for IBD. [Methods] We employed CiteSpace 6.2.R6 to visually analyze the publications about FMT for IBD. The data were gathered from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Web of Science, spanning the period from January 2003 to January 2024. [Results] A total of 882 publications were included in this study, encompassing 664 publications in the English language and 218 in Chinese. The results unveiled that the publications in the English language principally focused on the interplay between post-FMT alterations in gut microbiota and resultant clinical outcomes, safety evaluation, and mechanisms of action. The publications in Chinese centered predominantly on the therapeutic protocols involving FMT, safety evaluation, and mechanisms of action. [Conclusion] Both domestic and overseas researchers have augmented their attention toward FMT for IBD. Nonetheless, discernible disparities persist between China and other countries in this realm. There exists a vital need for enhanced collaboration among domestic institutions, which can foster collective impetus to propel the advances in FMT for IBD patients in China. In addition, the pivotal engagement of nurses is imperative for the establishment of a robust medical care framework within this sphere.