Global Research Trends on Sleep Quality in Chronic Kidney Disease: A Comprehensive Bibliometric and SWOT Analysis

Background: Sleep disturbances are increasingly recognized as clinically significant complications across all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet the global research landscape remains heterogeneous and insufficiently mapped. This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric and SWOT analysis to evaluate worldwide research trends, thematic structures, and strategic gaps in the literature on sleep quality in CKD. Materials and Methods: A bibliometric search of the Web of Science Core Collection (1 January 2020–10 February 2023) identified 149 publications addressing sleep quality in CKD. VOSviewer was used to visualize keyword co-occurrence patterns, authorship and country collaboration networks, and thematic clusters. Temporal publication trends were assessed through linear regression. A SWOT framework was applied to contextualize strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats within the research field. Results: Four major clusters were identified: hemodialysis–psychosocial burden, chronic renal failure–sleep quality, pre-dialysis sleep disorders, and estimated glomerular filtration rate–sleep disturbance. Hemodialysis-centered research formed the densest and most cited cluster, whereas early-stage CKD and objective sleep assessments (e.g., polysomnography, actigraphy) were notably underrepresented. Country-level mapping revealed substantial geographic variability, with China, the United States, and Türkiye leading in output, while Canada, Italy, and Sweden demonstrated high collaboration strength. Forecasting models showed a sustained upward trajectory in global publication volume through 2030. SWOT analysis highlighted a well-established but unevenly distributed research base, methodological variability, and clear opportunities for standardized, longitudinal, and mechanistic studies. Conclusion: Global research activity on sleep quality in CKD is expanding, yet critical gaps persist—particularly in early CKD populations, objective sleep measurement, and multinational collaboration. Addressing these limitations will be essential for developing robust evidence frameworks and improving clinical management of sleep disturbances across the CKD continuum.