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. 2024 Sep 11;30(9):e70054. doi: 10.1111/srt.70054

Global hotspots and trends in Acanthosis nigricans research: A bibliometric and visualized analysis

Shaobo Zhang 1, Huixin Yan 1, Weichen Sun 1, Jingnan Li 1, Jing Xu 1, Di Cao 2, Bailin Song 1,✉, Xingquan Wu 3,✉
PMCID: PMC11388607  PMID: 39258800

Abstract

Background

Acanthosis nigricans (AN) is a common skin disease characterized by clear pigmented patches on the folds of the skin. However, the AN research field lacks scientific and comprehensive bibliometric analysis. This article aims to use bibliometric methods to summarize and visualize the distribution patterns, research hotspots, and development trends of AN literature.

Methods

Literature from 1900 to 2024 was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database through AN's thematic search. Using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Excel 2019, conduct a comprehensive analysis of the number of publications, countries/regions, institutions, authors, journals, highly cited literature, keywords, and so on, and sort out the hotspots and directions of AN.

Results

From 1900 to 2024, 1675 publications were included in the bibliometric analysis, showing a steady annual increase in the number of publications. The United States leads in this research field, with the University of Texas System being a key research institution. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism has the highest number of published papers. The most cited article is “Syndromes of Insulin Resistance and Acanthosis Nigricans: Insulin‐Receptor Disorders in Man” (1976). The author Taylor, SI, has published the most papers. “Acanthosis nigricans” is the most frequently occurring keyword. The main research hotspots and frontier areas in AN research are as follows: (1) The relationship between AN and other diseases is a popular research topic; (2) The connection between AN and insulin resistance (IR) is a current research focus; (3) Treatment of AN, with an emphasis on addressing the underlying causes and improving local skin conditions, represents the cutting edge of this field.

Conclusion

This study summarizes the research trends and hotspots in the field of AN, offering valuable information and insights for scholars focused on AN scientific research, and providing a reference for future research directions.

Keywords: acanthosis nigricans, bibliometric, CiteSpace, visual analysis, VOSviewer

1. INTRODUCTION

AN, a common dermatological condition, was first described in 1890 by Santi Unna and Monatsh Pollitzer. 1 Characterized by velvety, hyperpigmented, hyperkeratotic plaques, AN commonly manifests in intertriginous areas such as the axillae, neck, inframammary regions, and groin. 2 , 3 AN is associated with obesity, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, drug reactions, malignancies, and several genetic disorders. 4 It is considered the most common dermatological condition in obesity and serves as a significant indicator of insulin resistance. 5 , 6 Furthermore, AN is an independent risk factor for insulin resistance and can serve as a reliable dermatological marker for this condition. 7 The prevalence of AN ranges from 7% to 74%, depending on factors such as age, race, and the degree of underlying obesity. 8 For example, the prevalence of AN is approximately 7% in the general population, but it can rise to as high as 74% among obese individuals. 9 Although AN is treatable, it is often difficult to cure completely. The primary goal of AN treatment is to address the underlying cause, but the cosmetic resolution of AN lesions is also important for patients and their quality of life. Therefore, general measures include weight reduction and addressing the root cause. Topical treatments often selected include retinoids, vitamin D analogs, chemical peels, and other keratolytic agents. Oral treatments typically include retinoids, metformin, and rosiglitazone. Other treatment options encompass dermabrasion, laser therapy, and surgical excision. 2 , 10 , 11 Therefore, conducting a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the current status, key areas, and future prospects of AN is crucial for developing effective prevention and treatment strategies.

Bibliometrics is a method that employs advanced bibliometric tools to conduct qualitative and quantitative reviews and analyses of research within a specific field over a designated period. It focuses on extracting multiple elements related to the research, such as countries, institutions, journals, authors, and keywords, thereby providing readers with an objective perspective on the trends and frontiers of the field. 12 Given the absence of bibliometric and visualization analysis studies on AN, our research team aims to systematically evaluate past literature in the AN field to fill this gap. By applying CiteSpace, VOS viewer, and Excel 2019, we will comprehensively analyze multiple elements of AN‐related literature, thereby uncovering research hotspots and future directions in this field. This study provides valuable references for clinicians and researchers seeking to advance the diagnosis, management, and research of AN.

2. METHODS

2.1. Data sources and search strategy

Our team conducted a literature search in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database(https://www.webofscience.com/wos/woscc/basic‐search)on July 26, 2024. The period was set from “1900.01.01 to 2024.07.26”. The search formula was TS = (acanthosis nigricans), with the language limited to “English” and document types set to “articles” and “reviews” (Figure 1).

FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 1

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Publications screening flowchart.

2.2. Data analysis

Based on the web‐based Java program, the CiteSpace software is one of the popular tools in current information research, used for data analysis and visualization. 13 It employs bibliometrics, co‐occurrence analysis, cluster analysis, and path exploration to create visual maps that reveal network structures, enabling researchers to quickly identify research areas, annotate keywords, and discern key information such as development patterns. 14 VOSviewer is another commonly used software in bibliometric research, which can display research hotspots, knowledge maps, collaboration relationships, and future development directions in a particular field, thereby providing a solid foundation for formulating new popular research topics. 15 Depending on the research objectives and plotting requirements, we select the appropriate software and set relevant parameters to complete the plotting and analysis. Additionally, Microsoft Office Excel 2019 is used for quantitative analysis of the publications.

3. RESULTS

3.1. Quantitative analysis of publication

Figure 2 displays data exported from WoSCC and edited using Excel. According to the research retrieval strategy, a total of 1675 AN‐related publications were collected, including 1464 articles and 211 reviews. As shown in Figure 2, there was no significant increase in the number of publications between 1909 and 1991. However, starting in 1992, there was a noticeable increase in the number of publications, with the annual publication volume showing a steady upward trend. The year 2022 saw the highest number of publications, reaching 63 articles.

FIGURE 2.

FIGURE 2

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Trends in annual publications of acanthosis nigricans from 1900 to 2024.

3.2. Country analysis

Scientific articles published during different periods reflect the development of the field. A total of 89 countries and regions have published articles related to AN. Table 1 lists the top 10 countries/regions ranked by the number of publications, citation rate, and centrality. The top three countries in terms of the number of publications are the USA (n = 650, 36.93%), England (n = 104, 5.91%), and China (n = 84, 4.77%). Centrality measures the importance of a country/region within the network. The USA has the highest centrality at 0.51, followed by England (0.15), Italy (0.12), and Germany (0.12). As shown in Figure 3A, the USA leads both in the total number of publications and in the production of new articles in the AN field. Figure 3B provides a clearer view of the publication volume and the collaborative relationships between countries/regions. The network is divided into 21 clusters. There is close collaboration within the field among the USA, England, Germany, China, Italy, France, Brazil, and Chile. The USA is the most influential country in the field and maintains close cooperative relationships with countries such as Italy, China, and Japan.

TABLE 1.

Top 10 countries/regions by the number of publications on acanthosis nigricans.

Rank Country/region Publications Percentage (%) Centrality
1 USA 650 36.93 0.51
2 England 104 5.91 0.15
3 P. R. China 84 4.77 0.07
4 Italy 83 4.72 0.12
5 Turkey 70 3.98 0.04
6 India 68 3.86 0.01
7 Japan 67 3.81 0.05
8 France 51 2.90 0.04
9 Germany 49 2.78 0.12
10 Brazil 46 2.61 0
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FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 3

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(A) Country/region co‐occurrence map. (B) Country/region collaboration analysis map.

3.3. Institutional analysis

A total of 79 academic institutions have published research related to AN. Table 2 lists the top ten institutions based on the number of publications. The University of Texas System leads with the highest number of publications (n = 40), followed by Johns Hopkins University (n = 32) and Harvard University (n = 30). The top 10 institutions are based in the United States, comprising eight universities, one National Children's Hospital, and one National Institutes of Health institute. Figure 4 illustrates the collaborative relationships between these institutions. There is extensive interaction and collaboration among the institutions within the research field, with particularly close ties observed between the University of Texas System, Harvard University, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, and the University of Michigan.

TABLE 2.

Top 10 institutions researching acanthosis nigricans.

Rank Affiliation Country Publications
1 University of Texas System USA 40
2 Johns Hopkins University USA 32
3 Harvard University USA 30
4 Pennsylvania State University USA 15
5 University of California San Diego USA 15
6 University of Chicago USA 15
7 University of Colorado USA 15
8 University of Pittsburgh USA 15
9 Children's National Hospital USA 14
10 National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases USA 14
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FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 4

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Co‐occurrence collaboration network of research institutions.

3.4. Journal analysis

In this study, a total of 81 journals published articles related to AN research. Table 3 presents the top 10 journals ranked by the number of publications. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism had the highest number of publications (Q2, n = 94), followed by the Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism (Q4, n = 38) and Archives of Dermatology (Q1, n = 36). The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism also had the highest citation count (n = 11 823). The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology had the highest impact factor (IF = 12.8). Figure 5 provides a visual analysis of the collaboration network among these journals. It reveals that collaborations among journals formed five distinct clusters, each represented by key journals: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, Diabetes, Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism, American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A, and Archives of Dermatology.

TABLE 3.

Top 10 journals by the number of publications on acanthosis nigricans.

Rank Journal Publications Citations Average citations per item JCR IF
1 Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 94 11 823 125.78 Q2 5.0
2 Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism 38 506 13.32 Q4 1.3
3 Archives of Dermatology 36 992 27.56 Q1 4.7
4 Clinics in Dermatology 29 833 28.72 Q2 2.3
5 International Journal of Dermatology 28 370 13.21 Q1 3.5
6 Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 26 1383 53.19 Q1 12.8
7 American Journal of Medical Genetics Part A 25 703 28.12 Q3 1.7
8 Diabetes 24 2141 89.21 Q1 6.2
9 Pediatric Dermatology 23 295 12.83 Q3 1.2
10 Clinical Endocrinology 22 1622 73.73 Q2 3.0
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FIGURE 5.

FIGURE 5

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Journal co‐occurrence collaboration network.

3.5. Analysis of highly cited articles

Academic success is often measured by the citation frequency of articles, with bibliometric analysis identifying publications that have made a significant impact on the academic community. 16 As shown in Table 4, the most highly cited article is titled “Syndromes of Insulin Resistance and Acanthosis Nigricans: Insulin‐Receptor Disorders in Man” by C. R. Kahn, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (n = 996, Q1, IF = 96.2). Among the top 10 most cited articles, nine belong to Q1 journals and one to a Q2 journal, including three articles published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

TABLE 4.

Top 10 highly cited articles on acanthosis nigricans.

Rank First author Title Year Citations JCR IF
1 Kahn, CR Syndromes of insulin resistance and acanthosis nigricans—insulin‐receptor disorders in man 1976 996 Q1 96.2
2 Dunaif, A Characterization of groups of hyperandrogenic women with acanthosis nigricans, impaired glucose‐tolerance, and—or hyperinsulinemia 1987 496 Q1 5
3 Barbieri, RL Hyperandrogenism, insulin resistance, and acanthosis nigricans syndrome—a common endocrinopathy with distinct pathophysiologic features 1983 259 Q1 8.7
4 Schwartz, RA Acanthosis nigricans 1994 223 Q1 12.8
5 Brown, J Acanthosis nigricans—a study of 90 cases 1968 199 Q2 1.3
6 Ellis, DL Melanoma, growth factors, acanthosis nigricans, the sign of leser‐trelat, and multiple acrochordons—a possible role for alpha‐transforming growth‐factor in cutaneous para‐neoplastic syndromes 1987 192 Q1 96.2
7 Burke, JP A quantitative scale of acanthosis nigricans 1999 170 Q1 14.8
8 Moller, DE Detection of an alteration in the insulin‐receptor gene in a patient with insulin resistance, acanthosis nigricans, and polycystic ovary syndrome (Type‐a insulin resistance) 1988 156 Q1 96.2
9 Flier, JS Acanthosis nigricans in obese women with hyperandrogenism—characterization of an insulin‐resistant state distinct from the Type‐a and b syndromes 1985 133 Q1 6.2
10 Stuart, CA Prevalence of acanthosis nigricans in an unselected population 1989 122 Q1 5.1
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3.6. Author analysis

A total of 57 authors have contributed to AN research. Table 5 lists the top 10 authors ranked by the number of publications. The top three authors are S.I. Taylor, SI (n = 20), A. Dunaif (n = 18), and J. Flier (n = 13). Among the top 10 authors, 7 are from the United States, 2 are from Europe (Norway and Switzerland), and 1 is from Japan. Figure 6 provides a detailed co‐authorship network map based on these authors' publication counts. We observe that Taylor, SI has the most significant publication volume and impact in AN research, with close collaborations with scholars like Kadowaki, T., Moller, D.E., Arslanian, S.A., Shimada, F., and Taylor, S.I. are each representative scholars of their respective academic teams.

TABLE 5.

Top 10 authors by the number of publications on acanthosis nigricans.

Rank Author Affiliation Country Publications
1 Taylor, SI Norwegian University of Science & Technology Norway 20
2 Dunaif, A Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai USA 18
3 Flier, J Harvard Medical School USA 13
4 Hristova, K Johns Hopkins University USA 13
5 Gorden, P National Institutes of Health USA 12
6 Kadowaki, T Nagasaki University Japan 11
7 Stuart, CA Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne Switzerland 11
8 Schwartz, RA Rutgers University Biomedical & Health Sciences USA 10
9 Curth, HO Columbia University USA 9
10 Garg, A University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas USA 9
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FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 6

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Author co‐occurrence collaboration network.

4. ANALYSIS OF KEYWORDS

4.1. Keyword co‐occurrence analysis

Keyword co‐occurrence analysis is an efficient method for quickly identifying research hotspots within a specific field. 13 In this study, 741 keywords were retrieved, and a keyword co‐occurrence visualization was conducted. As shown in Figure 7A, the larger the node, the higher the frequency of the keyword's occurrence, with the lines between nodes indicating the degree of association between keywords. Table 6 lists the top 20 high‐frequency keywords. “Acanthosis nigricans (n = 744, centrality: 0.14)” is the most frequently occurring keyword, followed by “insulin resistance (n = 396, centrality: 0.06),” “prevalence (n = 223, centrality: 0.15),” “polycystic ovary syndrome (n = 156, centrality: 0.12),” “metabolic syndrome (n = 115, centrality: 0.05),” “obesity (n = 108, centrality: 0.05),” and “diabetes mellitus (n = 90, centrality: 0.13).” The high frequency and centrality of these terms indicate their popularity and close association with AN research. To gain a better understanding of the research status of high‐frequency keywords within the AN field, we also used VOSviewer to filter keywords that appeared at least five times. In the high‐frequency keyword density map shown in Figure 7B, the larger and brighter the area, the higher the density and frequency of keyword occurrences within that region.

FIGURE 7.

FIGURE 7

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(A) Co‐occurrence network of keywords; (B) VOSviewer keywords density map.

TABLE 6.

Top20 high‐frequency keywords.

Rank Key words Frequency Centrality
1 Acanthosis nigricans 744 0.14
2 Insulin resistance 396 0.06
3 Prevalence 191 0.07
4 Polycystic ovary syndrome 156 0.12
5 Metabolic syndrome 115 0.05
6 Obesity 108 0.05
7 Children 98 0.07
8 Adolescents 97 0.03
9 Diabetes mellitus 90 0.13
10 Hyperinsulinemia 89 0.07
11 Women 88 0.05
12 Resistance 84 0.06
13 Patient 78 0.08
14 Impaired glucose tolerance 76 0.05
15 Association 74 0.06
16 Risk factors 70 0.05
17 Hyperandrogenism 69 0.05
18 Disease 66 0.07
19 Growth factor i 64 0.04
20 Overweight 61 0.01
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4.2. Keywords clustering analysis

The function of cluster network analysis is to employ scientific computational methods to summarize co‐occurring keywords, offering an overview of research interests within the field. 17 , 18 Figure 8 illustrates the clustering of keywords into seven categories, each represented by a different color using CiteSpace. #0 adolescents, #1 crouzon syndrome, #2 polycystic ovary syndrome, #3 tyrosine kinase domain, #4 obese women, #5 leser trelat, and #6 diabetes mellitus.

FIGURE 8.

FIGURE 8

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Keywords clustering map.

4.3. Keyword timeline analysis

Figure 9A presents a visual overlay of keyword evolution over time using VOSviewer. In this visualization, purple clusters represent the earliest keywords, green clusters indicate earlier keywords, and yellow clusters signify the most recent keywords. Keywords such as “growth factor‐i,” “hyperandrogenic women,” “hyperandrogenism,” “binding tyrosine kinase domain,” and “obese women” are prominent in the purple cluster. In the green cluster, keywords like “acanthosis nigricans,” “prevalence,” “insulin resistance,” and “leptin hypoglycemia” are the most important in current AN research. Emerging search terms in the field include “association,” “metabolic syndrome,” “overweight,” “cardiovascular risk,” “diagnosis,” and “fgfr3,” as indicated by the yellow cluster. To more clearly analyze the temporal changes of keywords, we utilized CiteSpace to create a timeline visualization of the keywords, as shown in Figure 9B, which illustrates the evolution of key terms in AN research.

FIGURE 9.

FIGURE 9

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(A) Keywords temporal weight map and (B) Timeline visualization analysis of keywords.

4.4. Keyword burst analysis

Keyword burst analysis enables researchers to intuitively grasp the hot topics, core concepts, and research trends within a specific field over different time periods. 18 In the visualization, light blue lines represent the time intervals, blue lines indicate the duration during which a keyword was present, and red lines highlight the periods when a keyword experienced a burst in attention. Figure 10 presents the results of the keyword burst analysis. The research on AN began to focus on keywords such as “resistance,” “polycystic ovarian disease,” and “dependent diabetes mellitus” around 1990. These keywords suggest that researchers were likely concentrating on the connections between Acanthosis nigricans and metabolic syndrome‐related conditions, such as insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome, and diabetes. From 2000 to 2010, keywords like “2 diabetes mellitus,” “insulin sensitivity,” and “metabolic syndrome” became the focal points of AN research. This shift indicates that researchers were primarily interested in the metabolic diseases associated with Acanthosis nigricans, its epidemiological characteristics, its relationship with obesity, and its clinical manifestations, aiming for a deeper understanding of the disease's etiology and its presentation across different populations. Between 2012 and 2024, keywords such as “risk factors,” “youth,” and “mutation” emerged as hot topics and maintained a prolonged burst of interest. These keywords reveal that researchers have been focusing on the risk factors of Acanthosis nigricans, the impact of age, diagnostic methods, associations with other dermatological conditions, and related gene mutations, to gain a more profound understanding of the disease's pathogenesis and underlying causes.

FIGURE 10.

FIGURE 10

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Top 25 keywords with the strongest citation bursts.

5. DISCUSSION

5.1. General information

This study, for the first time, conducted a bibliometric and visualization analysis of 1464 publications related to AN research spanning the period from 1900 to 2024. The overall trend in the number of publications in this field has shown a steady year‐on‐year increase, indicating a growing interest and engagement in AN research within the academic community.

Publishing volume analysis by country/region can better reveal the global contribution to this field. 21 The USA, England, and China are the top three countries in terms of the number of publications in the AN field, with the USA ranking first, having published as many as 650 articles, which accounts for approximately 36.93% of the total. This indicates that the USA has achieved remarkably fruitful research outcomes in this field and holds a strong academic influence, further evidenced by its extensive collaborations with multiple countries. The top 10 institutions by publication count are all from the USA, reflecting a research landscape in AN studies where university research institutions play a central role, complemented by a collaborative model involving disease research institutes and multi‐center hospitals.

There are numerous journals available for AN‐related research, which have primarily coalesced into five major representative clusters. Within each cluster, there are strong interconnections, while active engagement is maintained between the clusters. This reflects a highly broad and vibrant academic exchange environment within the AN research field. Among the top 10 authors by publication volume, Dunaif, A., Schwartz, R.A., Flier, J.S., and Stuart, C.A. each have one article that ranks among the top 10 most‐cited publications. The 10 most‐cited articles were published between 1968 and 1999, with three of them appearing in the New England Journal of Medicine (Q1, IF = 96.2). This indicates that, after years of accumulation and development, AN research has garnered widespread attention and citations in high‐impact journals. This phenomenon not only reflects the academic community's high recognition of AN research but also highlights the crucial role that high‐impact journals play in disseminating significant research findings.

5.2. Hotspots and frontiers

AN is associated with a multitude of underlying diseases. These diseases include metabolic syndrome, 20 polycystic ovary syndrome, 21 hyperandrogenism (HA), 22 obesity, 23 thanatophoric dysplasia, 24 hidradenitis suppurativa, 25 and diabetes. 26 This is also consistent with the results of our bibliometric analysis. AN is considered a cutaneous marker of metabolic syndrome. 27 HA, IR, and AN constitute a specific subtype of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). 24 Acne, hirsutism, androgenic alopecia, seborrhea, AN, and skin tags are common dermatological manifestations in patients with PCOS, with metabolic complications observed in 60%–80% of cases among affected women; AN falls within the spectrum of related skin conditions. 28 , 29 In a cross‐sectional study, the prevalence of AN among overweight patients with PCOS reached up to 40%, often concomitant with IR, central obesity, and mild inflammation. 30 The association between HA and IR and/or hyperinsulinemia has been well established, with AN being one of the many clinical manifestations of HA. 24 Obese adolescent females, compared to their lean counterparts, exhibit lower levels of sex hormone‐binding globulin (SHBG) and higher levels of free testosterone. Therefore, the development of HA in obese females is driven by IR due to low SHBG levels, which concurrently increases the risk of developing AN. 31 A common autosomal dominant mutation in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) leads to achondroplasia and related skeletal dysplasias such as severe achondroplasia with developmental delay and Acanthosis nigricans (SADDAN) and thanatophoric dysplasia (TD). 32 A cross‐sectional study confirmed a significant association between hypertriglyceridemic waist phenotype (HS) and metabolic syndrome (MS), while a retrospective review further indicated that individuals with HS have an increased risk of developing MetS. 33 , 34 AN and HS share clinical manifestations with metabolic syndrome. 35 The pathogenesis of AN is primarily associated with MS and IR, with epidemiological characteristics predominantly observed among affected populations, including children, 36 adolescents, 37 and young women. 31

There exists a profound and intricately connected relationship between AN and IR. 38 AN is a skin disorder triggered by elevated insulin levels, typically induced by a state of IR, where its pathogenesis may involve the persistent or chronic elevation of insulin levels, leading to the proliferation of dermal fibroblasts and epidermal keratinocytes, which subsequently contributes to the development and increased severity of AN. 39 Diabetes, obesity, polycystic ovary syndrome, and type A and B IR syndromes are typical examples of metabolic diseases characterized by IR, which aligns with the findings from our bibliometric study that revealed a close association between various IR‐related diseases and AN. 40 , 41 A common approach to treating AN involves addressing the primary underlying causes, with a focus on correcting the associated metabolic conditions. 42 This therapeutic strategy includes the use of medications such as metformin, 43 rosiglitazone, 40 sitagliptin, 44 retinoids (isotretinoin and acitretin), 45 , 46 topical vitamin D analogs (calcipotriene), 47 and melatonin, 48 administered both orally and topically, to improve systemic or localized insulin resistance, thereby achieving control and treatment of AN. Due to the significant cosmetic impact of skin issues caused by AN, many patients opt for various localized treatments, including chemical peels, other keratolytic agents, laser therapy, and surgical excision. 10 , 11 A variety of medications, including niacin, insulin, pituitary extracts, systemic corticosteroids, diethylstilbestrol, triazine salts, oral contraceptives, fusidic acid, and methyltestosterone, have been associated with AN. The lesions of AN may regress after discontinuing the causative drugs. 42 Given that AN is treatable but often difficult to completely cure, it is worth continuing to explore new and more effective treatment options in the future.

6. ADVANTAGES AND SHORTCOMINGS

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive analysis of research in the AN field, with a specific focus on its trends and hotspots, making it exceptionally beneficial for scholars and researchers interested in the topic of AN. First and foremost, given the authoritative and comprehensive nature of the Web of Science Core Collection, we exclusively searched this database, potentially overlooking the significant value and information found in literature from other important databases. Secondly, we included in our analysis only papers primarily written in English, which may have led to the substantial omission of outstanding literature published in other languages. Lastly, due to the continuous updates of databases, some recently published high‐impact papers may not have been sufficiently studied and cited, potentially leading to an underestimation of the value and quality of the most recent publications in the bibliometric analysis results.

7. CONCLUSIONS

Using bibliometric methods, it has been found that research in the field of AN is receiving increasing attention, which can be summarized into the following three points. The relationship between AN and other diseases is a popular research topic. The relationship between AN and IR is also a current research hotspot. The treatment of AN focuses on improving the primary causes and local skin conditions. In‐depth research on the pathogenesis and treatment of AN may be a breakthrough in discovering significant improvements or cures for AN, and it is worthwhile for dermatologists to overcome this challenge.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

ETHICS STATEMENT

The authors declare human ethics approval was not needed for this study.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We extend our gratitude to all authors involved in the bibliometric and visualization studies on seborrheic dermatitis. This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2019YFC1709900) and Natural Science Foundation of Jilin (No. YDZJ202301ZYTS140).

Zhang S, Yan H, Sun W, et al. Global hotspots and trends in Acanthosis nigricans research: A bibliometric and visualized analysis. Skin Res Technol. 2024;30:e70054. 10.1111/srt.70054

Shaobo Zhang and Huixin Yan contributed equally to this work.

Contributor Information

Bailin Song, Email: czdsongbailin@126.com.

Xingquan Wu, Email: wuxingquan2005@163.com.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

Data available on request.

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Data Availability Statement

Data available on request.

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