Mapping allergy research: a comprehensive visual and bibliometric analysis of socioeconomic and quality-of-life dimensions

Official URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacig.2025.100553

Background: The increasing prevalence of allergic diseases has increased attention to their socioeconomic impact and health-related quality of life. Yet, research in this domain remains dispersed and underrepresented across disciplines and regions. Objective: We sought to analyze allergy research related to socioeconomic impacts and quality of life from 1994 to 2025 and identifying key trends, collaborations, and emerging themes. Methods: A total of 913 documents from 412 sources were retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus databases using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses flow diagram. Bibliometric tools, including VOSviewer and the Bibliometrix R package, were used to assess publication growth, authorship patterns, collaboration networks, and thematic trends. Results: The annual growth rate was 5.68%, with 6229 authors and an international coauthorship rate of 24.42%, reflecting robust global collaboration. Keyword trends revealed a shift from asthma to food allergies and patient-centered themes such as quality of life, treatment satisfaction, and digital health. Thematic evolution showed increasing interest in psychosocial care, chronic allergy conditions, and technological interventions. Although the United States and the United Kingdom remain leading contributors, research from Asia and non–English-speaking countries increased following the inclusion of non-English literature. Conclusions: Allergy research is evolving toward a more holistic, interdisciplinary, and globally engaged model. Future efforts should focus on bridging regional disparities, incorporating underrepresented disciplines, and promoting inclusive, patient-centered research.