A Bibliometric Analysis of Publications in Uremic Toxins From 1991 to 2024

BACKGROUND: Uremic toxins are a growing area of research in nephrology, with significant implications in the progression and treatment of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the management of end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). This bibliometric analysis aims to evaluate the global research trends, key contributors, and the impact of publications in the field of uremic toxins from 1991 to 2024. METHODS: ), and the Y-index for author contributions. Publication trends were examined across countries, institutions, and authors. The analysis included document types, languages, Web of Science categories, and journals. RESULTS: The study revealed a steady increase in uremic toxin research publications. Japan, the USA, and China remained the most productive countries, with Japan maintaining the highest output, while Belgium achieved the highest citation impact. Citations of uremic toxin-related research peaked 2 years following publication and plateaued after approximately 6 years. The research foci evolved, with CKD, ESKD, indoxyl sulfate, protein-bound solutes, and gut microbiota gaining prominence. Studies on oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolomics, and advanced adsorption-based toxin removal strategies increased markedly. International collaboration and interdisciplinary integration across nephrology, microbiology, and biochemistry correlated with higher citation performance and research visibility. CONCLUSION: This bibliometric study provides an in-depth analysis of uremic toxin research trends, identifies major contributors, and suggests future research priorities. The findings can inform future research directions, guide funding allocation, and strengthen global collaborative efforts towards improved management of toxin-related kidney disease.