Global status and trends in hepatitis B virus DNA mutation research from 2003 to 2022: A comprehensive bibliometric view

Abstract

AimsHepatitis B virus (HBV) is an enveloped DNA virus belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family. It is a significant contributor to the prevalence of chronic liver disease on a global scale. Mutations in HBV DNA can affect the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with chronic hepatitis B. Although numerous studies on HBV DNA mutations have been conducted, few bibliometric studies have been performed to date. This study aimed to analyze changes in scientific output to gain a better understanding of the current research status and identify potential new research directions in the field of HBV DNA mutation.MethodsRelevant studies published between 2003 and 2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. CiteSpace version 6.1.R6 was used to construct network maps to evaluate collaborations among countries, institutions, authors, journals, and keywords.ResultsIn total, 1508 publications over the past 20 years were obtained, mainly from China, the United States, and Japan. The major research institutions in China included the University of Hong Kong, Fudan University, and Peking University. Lai Ching Lung was the most productive author, whereas Anna Suk‐Fong Lok was the most frequently co‐cited author. The keyword “HBsAg” was the strongest burst keyword in recent years, indicating possible future study trends.ConclusionsThis bibliometric analysis intuitively revealed the overall research status of HBV DNA mutations, providing valuable information for researchers, funding agencies, and policymakers to explore the current research status, research hotspots, and new directions for future research.