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  • Clinical Research Article
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Global landscape of juvenile dermatomyositis research: a bibliometric analysis

Pediatric Research (2026)Cite this article

Abstract

Background

Juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM) is the most common and severe form of juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathy. We conducted a global mapping of the JDM scientific literature to assess publication trends, collaboration patterns, intellectual structure, and emerging priorities.

Methods

We identified English-language original articles on JDM published between 1976 and 2024 in the Web of Science Core Collection (Science Citation Index Expanded), limited to clinically relevant categories. Bibliometrix and VOSviewer were used to generate key bibliometric indicators. Disruption Index was applied to distinguish disruptive from consolidating work.

Results

A total of 1113 articles were published in 201 journals by 5626 researchers. Publication output peaked in 2024, with an annual growth rate of 7.8%. The United States produced the largest number of publications, whereas the United Kingdom achieved the highest time-normalized citation rate. Recent research has increasingly focused on immunological endotyping, myositis-specific antibodies (MSAs), disease activity indices, and registry-based studies. Disruption Index analysis showed that disruptive contributions clustered around epidemiologic baselines, core outcome sets, treatment strategies, and clinical definitions.

Conclusion

JDM research has evolved into a measurement-driven, collaborative field focused on immunological profiling and standardized assessment. Strengthening international networks and registry-based designs may further accelerate progress in this rare disease domain.

Impact

  • This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of juvenile dermatomyositis research spanning nearly five decades.

  • The study identifies key publication trends, intellectual structures, and disruptive contributions shaping the field.

  • The findings demonstrate that international collaboration and standardization efforts significantly enhance citation impact and field-wide influence.

  • The study provides a strategic roadmap for future research, emphasizing endotype-based classification, registry integration, and cross-specialty dissemination to accelerate progress in this rare disease.

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Fig. 1
Fig. 2: Annual publication trends and citation impact in juvenile dermatomyositis research, 1976–2024.
Fig. 3
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Data availability

The data used in this bibliometric analysis are publicly available and were obtained from the Clarivate Web of Science database. No new data were generated or analyzed in the course of this study. Access to the Web of Science database is available through institutional or personal subscriptions.

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Author information

Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Chun-Lung Wang, Ming-Chi Lu.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pediatrics, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chiayi, Taiwan

    Chun-Lung Wang

  2. School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien City, Hualien, Taiwan

    Chun-Lung Wang & Ming-Chi Lu

  3. Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chiayi, Taiwan

    Ming-Chi Lu

  4. Department of Medical Research, Dalin Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Dalin, Chiayi, Taiwan

    Malcolm Koo

  5. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Malcolm Koo

Authors
  1. Chun-Lung Wang
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  2. Ming-Chi Lu
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  3. Malcolm Koo
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Contributions

M.K., M.C.L., C.L.W. contributed to the conception. M.K. contributed to data acquisition and interpretation. M.K. and M.C.L. contributed to draft of the manuscript. C.L.W. contributed to revise of the article. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Malcolm Koo.

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Wang, CL., Lu, MC. & Koo, M. Global landscape of juvenile dermatomyositis research: a bibliometric analysis. Pediatr Res (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-026-04823-w

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