Metabolic liver disease research in the Arab world: a bibliometric analysis of trends, collaborations, and disparities (2006-2024)
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which has recently been renamed metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) or metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is the most common chronic liver disease globally, including in the Arab world. This study investigates the research output and impact of NAFLD/MAFLD/MASLD in Arab countries until 2024. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: A bibliometric analysis of the literature related to NAFLD/MAFLD/MASLD until 2024 was conducted using Web of Science for 22 Arab countries. After selecting the literature from Arab countries in this field, we analyzed literature output and citation, journals publishing the literature, the most prolific researchers and institutions affiliated to Arab world, keywords registered in the database, and international research collaboration. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: Between 2006 and 2024, 18 Arab countries produced 1,252 publications related to NAFLD/MAFLD/MASLD with accelerating output since 2020. The largest number of papers and citations were achieved by Egypt, followed by Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates. The research topics based on keywords indicated efforts in both basic and clinical medicine with the adoption of newer nomenclatures MAFLD/MASLD. More than half (710 papers, 57%) of the papers derived from multiple countries totaling up to 108, with the closest collaborations within Arab and neighboring countries. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the recent increase, the number of NAFLD/MAFLD/MASLD publications in the Arab world still represents a small fraction of the overall global production. Enhanced local support, as well as regional and international collaboration, is crucial for improving research impact and addressing the rising prevalence of the disease in the Arab world.
Source: Minerva Gastroenterology
Institutions: Cairo University, The University of Sydney, Westmead Hospital, Westmead Institute for Medical Research, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, Weill Cornell Medicine, Rashid Hospital, Sultan Qaboos University, Minia University, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Ibn Rochd, University of Hassan II Casablanca, Amiri Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Statistics, Probability and Uncertainty
Field: Decision Sciences
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7124955118