Frontiers and emerging trends in research on metabolic syndrome and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease: a bibliometric analysis (2005-2024)

Objective This study aims to elucidate current trends and research hotspots in the field of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), thereby offering fresh perspectives to guide future investigations. Methods A comprehensive search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) and Scopus databases to identify relevant publications on MetS and MAFLD published between 2005 and 2024. Bibliometric analysis was performed using VOSviewer (version 1.6.20) and CiteSpace (version 6.4.R1) to systematically evaluate multidimensional metrics, including the contributions of countries/regions, institutions, journals, and authors. Furthermore, collaborative networks were constructed and keyword distribution patterns were analyzed. Results This study incorporated a total of 9,821 publications from 120 countries/regions. Scientific output demonstrated a substantial increase from 2005 to 2024. The United States led with 2,426 publications, followed by China and Italy. The University of California System was the most prolific research institution, and the World Journal of Gastroenterology was the leading journal in terms of publication volume. Targher Giovanni emerged as the most influential contributor with the highest centrality, followed by Younossi Zobair M. and Yilmaz Yusuf. Analysis of keyword trends revealed an evolution from early focuses on pathophysiological foundations such as “insulin resistance” and “morbid obesity” to emerging terminology including “mitochondrial dysfunction” and “controlled attenuation parameter”. In recent years, research frontiers have advanced towards “gut microbiota”, the “gut-liver axis”, and lifestyle interventions. This evolutionary trajectory signifies a profound paradigm shift within the field, moving from traditional pathophysiological description towards mechanism-based precise diagnosis and early intervention strategies.