Emerging trends and hotspots of the itch research: A bibliometric and visualized analysis

Abstract

AimsItch, a common uncomfortable sensory experience, occurs frequently in inflammatory or allergic disorders. In recent years, with the discovery of itch‐specific pathways in the peripheral and central nervous system, the association between immunology and neural pathways has gradually emerged as the main mechanism of itch. Although many studies have been conducted on itch, no bibliometric analysis study focusing on this topic has been conducted. This study aimed to explore the research hotspots and trends in the itch field from a bibliometric perspective.MethodsPublications relevant to itch, published from 2003 to 2022, were retrieved from the Science Citation Index‐Expanded of Web of Science Core Collection. Publications were critically reviewed and analyzed with CiteSpace software, Vosviewer, and the bibliometric online analysis platform. Visual maps were conducted in terms of annual production, collaborating countries or institutions, productive authors, core journals, co‐cited references, and keyword bursts.Results2395 articles on itch that met our criteria were identified and the quantity of publications has been increasing rapidly since 2012. The USA was the most influential country. University Hospital Münster was the institution with the most publications. Gil Yosipovitch was the most prolific author. Atopic dermatitis (AD), intradermal serotonin, chronic pruritus, mechanical itch, gastrin‐releasing peptide, substance p, interleukin‐31 receptor, histamine‐induced itch, bile acid, scratching behavior, and h‐4 receptor were the top 11 clusters in co‐citation cluster analysis. Keyword burst analysis suggested that treatment, inflammation, and AD are current research hotspots.ConclusionGlobal publications on itch research have increased steadily and rapidly over the past 20 years. Inflammation and AD are current research hotspots. The neuroimmunological and neuroinflammatory mechanisms of itch, as well as clinical assessment methods and therapeutic targets, will be novel research directions in the future. This study provides guidance for further itch research.

Short-term Heat Application Reduces Itch Intensity in Atopic Dermatitis: Insights from Mechanical Induction and Real-life Episodes

“…Importantly, the individual patient analysis (spaghetti diagrams) revealed a subset of patients who responded positively to heat treatment. This individual variability in response to heat application suggests that patientspecific factors, possibly including AD severity, skin barrier integrity, and individual differences in nerve fibre density or sensitivity, play a role in the efficacy of heat as an anti-pruritic treatment (1,10,24,31,39,40). The association between heat relief and relief during a warm shower in some patients further underscores the need for personalized approaches in managing AD symptoms.…”