From past insights to future challenges: A global bibliometric analysis of hepatic steatosis (1980–2025)

Abstract

Bacground: This study aimed to bibliometrically analyze publications on Hepatic Steatosis (HS) indexed in the Web of Science (WoS) database between 1980 and 2025, with the objective of identifying global research trends, leading authors, institutions, and countries, influential journals, collaboration networks, and emerging priority research areas.

Materials and Methods: A total of 3,871 articles were evaluated. The scientific mapping of the HS literature was conducted using the Bibliometrix R package and its Biblioshiny interface.

Results: The number of publications on HS has increased rapidly over the past forty-five years, with research largely characterized by teamwork and international collaboration. Prof. Yu Li, Prof. Yuxiu Liu, and Asst. Prof. Hyunbae Kim emerged as the most prominent researchers, while Hepatology, Journal of Hepatology, and PLOS One were identified as the most influential journals. At the country level, China, the United States, and South Korea were the leading contributors. Keyword and thematic analyses highlighted a research focus on metabolic syndrome, inflammation, non-invasive diagnostic methods, and molecular mechanisms.

Conclusion: The findings reveal that HS research demonstrates multidisciplinary progress encompassing both fundamental pathophysiological processes and clinical applications. Research trends and collaboration structures indicate the field is becoming increasingly globalized with substantial scientific impact. In the future, metabolic disorders, the gut microbiota, and targeted molecular therapeutic strategies are expected to be prioritized research themes.