Emerging trends and research frontiers in refractory asthma: a comprehensive bibliometric analysis from 2004 to 2025.

Abstract

Objective: Refractory asthma remains a significant challenge in respiratory medicine, requiring advanced therapeutic strategies and precision medicine approaches. Bibliometric analysis provides insights into research trends, key contributors, and evolving frontiers in this field.

Methods: The present study conducted a bibliometric analysis using data from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) databases. The included articles between 2004 and 2025 were analyzed scientifically and quantitatively using R 4.3.3, CiteSpace (V 6.3.R1) and VOSviewer (V 1.6.20).

Results: A total of 711 eligible publications were analyzed, with 4,253 authors from 2,824 institutions across 49 countries/regions contributing to this field. The United States, the United Kingdom, and China were the most productive countries. The University of Newcastle, the University of Leicester, and Université Paris Cité emerged as leading institutions. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology had the highest publication count and impact. Keyword cluster analysis identified three themes: clinical and epidemiological aspects, immunological mechanisms, and biologic therapies and clinical trials. Emerging research hotspots include "guidelines," representing future trends.

Conclusions: This study identifies the main research hotspots in refractory asthma, including clinical and epidemiological aspects, immunological mechanisms, and biologic therapies and clinical trials. Future trends in refractory asthma research emphasize guideline-informed precision medicine, integrating biomarkers, digital tools, and individualized treatment strategies to enhance care standardization and effectiveness.