The Evolution of Autoimmune Gastritis Research (1995-2025): A Hybrid Bibliometric-Conceptual Synthesis.

Abstract

Objectives: Autoimmune gastritis (AIG) has evolved from a condition primarily recognized in the context of pernicious anemia (PA) to a clinically recognized immune-mediated gastric disease with important neoplastic implications. We investigated the structural and conceptual evolution of AIG research from 1995 to 2025 using a hybrid bibliometric-conceptual approach.

Methods: Publications were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. After excluding retracted records and duplicates, 1298 articles and reviews were included. Bibliometric indicators were calculated, and collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, temporal evolution, and reference co-citation were analyzed using Gephi, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace.

Results: Annual publication output increased from 24 articles in 1995 to 86 articles in 2025, with accelerated growth after 2015. A total of 5608 authors from 45 countries contributed to the literature, with major collaborative networks centered on Europe and North America. Early research focused primarily on PA, gastric autoimmunity, and chronic gastritis. Recent studies have emphasized endoscopic recognition, biomarker-based diagnosis, gastric neuroendocrine tumors, and neoplastic risk assessment. Co-citation analysis further demonstrated a shift from immunologic and pathophysiologic investigations to clinically oriented disease recognition and surveillance-related research.

Conclusions: AIG research has undergone a substantial conceptual transition over the past three decades. Contemporary research recognizes AIG as a distinct gastric disease entity that requires earlier diagnosis, risk stratification, and surveillance-oriented management.