Global trends in Helicobacter pylori research from 1991 to 2008 analyzed with the Science Citation Index Expanded

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aim to evaluate the global scientific production of Helicobacter Pylori (H. pylori) research, study the characteristics of H. pylori research activities, and identify patterns, tendencies, and regularities of H. pylori-related articles. METHODS: Data were based on the online version of Science Citation Index Expanded, from the Web of Science database. Articles referring to H. pylori were assessed by the trend of publication output during 1991-2008, and analysis of the distribution of words in the article title, author keyword, and KeyWords Plus was carried out. RESULTS: Globally, 37 451 papers were published during the 18-year study period, including 19 080 articles, 10 396 meeting abstracts, 2625 reviews, 1943 proceedings papers, and 1866 letters. There were totally 1727 journals listed in the 122 Science Citation Index subject categories. The mainstream research on H. pylori was in the clinical gastroenterology and hepatology, microbiology, and pharmacology and pharmacy fields. The G7 industrial countries held the majority of total world production. Research on the H. pylori-related topic 'ulcer' remained the hotspot of H. pylori research, whereas that on the related topic 'gastric cancer' increased during the 18-year study period. CONCLUSION: With synthetic analysis of word in article title, author keyword, and KeyWords Plus, it can be concluded that application of H. pylori in clinical gastroenterology, especially research related to 'cancer' is the orientation of all the H. pylori research in the 21st Century. This bibliometric method can help relevant researchers understand the panorama of global H. pylori research, and establish the direction of further research.