Global Trends on β-Thalassemia Research Over 10 Years: A Bibliometric Analysis

Purpose: Thalassemia, an inherited quantitative globin disorder, is the most prevalent monogenic disease globally. While severe alpha thalassemia results in intrauterine death, β-thalassemia manifests during childhood due to the “second conversion of hemoglobin”, garnering increased attention in recent decades.
Methods: In this study, a bibliometric analysis was conducted of thalassemia articles published in the Web of Science Core Collection database between 2013 and 2023 to establish a comprehensive overview and to identify emerging trends. A total of 5655 studies published between 2013 and 2023 were systematically retrieved, and annual publications demonstrated a steady increase, maintaining a high level over the past decade.
Results: The United States contributed the highest number of publications, followed by China. Notably, the journal Blood emerged as the leading authority in β-thalassemia research. Analysis of research hotspots revealed that the pathogenesis of β-thalassemia is primarily linked to iron overload, anemia, gene mutations, and ineffective erythropoiesis. Furthermore, recent studies focusing on gene editing therapies present promising avenues for future investigation.
Conclusion: These findings grasp the research status of β-thalassemia and shed new light on future research frontiers.

Keywords: bibliometric, citespace, hotspots, thalassemia, VOSviewer