Prospects and Research Trends of Tuberculosis in Iran: A Bibliometric Study With a Science Mapping Approach

TL;DR

This study maps TB research in Iran using bibliometric analysis to identify trends and guide future research directions.

Contribution

The paper provides a science mapping approach to analyze TB research trends in Iran using Scopus data up to 2024.

Findings

Research output in TB peaked between 2020–2022 and in 2016.

Isoniazid and rifampicin were the most frequent research topics.

Diabetes mellitus had the highest average citations among TB-related topics.

Abstract

Tuberculosis (TB), as one of the challenges of the health system in Iran, is of interest to Iranian researchers. It is necessary to present the research perspective of the research in this field to guide the future research. The aim of this research is bibliometric and citation study and providing a scientific map of TB research in Iran.

This bibliometric and cross-sectional analyzes the research outputs of the subject area of TB indexed in the Scopus database up to 2024. SciMAT and VOSviewer software were used to visualize and predict the trends in research on the topic.

The most scientific productions occurred in the years 2020–2022 as well as 2016, and the research density was low in these years. Isoniazid and rifampicin were the most frequent topics in TB researches. In terms of average citations, diabetes mellitus had the most citations. Multidrug-resistant TB, diseases and complications, signs and symptoms, diagnosis and epidemiology of TB, and immunological and genetic studies related to TB are three research lines in TB research.

TB research in Iran is expanding both quantitatively and in terms of research concepts. Thematic maps and strategic diagrams were presented. Paying attention to themes and strategic diagrams in the research decision-making of TB researchers in Iran in order to conduct effective research is helpful. Also, subject specialists in various fields of TB can obtain a specific research perspective based on the maps and indicators provided.

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