A Bibliometric Analytical Research on UCARE's Impact in Boosting Chronic Urticaria Research and Collaboration

Objective: Urticaria Centers of Reference and Excellence (UCARE) was established in 2016 with the aim of promoting global collaboration, coordination, and research on urticaria. This bibliometric analysis seeks to assess the impact of the UCARE on the scientific literature and international collaboration concerning chronic urticaria. Material and Methods: A bibliometric analysis was performed. Scopus database contains journal name, h-index matrix, citation matrices, etc., which enable effective bibliometric analysis. The information is retrieved from the selected database and evaluated by filtering with ''inclusion'' and ''exclusion''. Given that UCARE was established in 2016, the comparison was conducted by dividing the time periods into pre-2016 and post-2016 intervals. The 1st of the 2 time intervals for the query was determined as 2016-2023 and the second as 2008-2015, and the data were downloaded on February 14, 2024. Results: The study reveals a significant increase in international collaborations and a global impact considering countries from different regions of the world in the post-UCARE period. The analysis also identifies Maurer M. as a leading author in both periods. The results particularly highlight a positive change in multidisciplinary approaches in the fields of dermatology and allergy. Additionally, topics such as ''chronic spontaneous urticaria, pruritus, disease activity, and follow-up'' have been more frequently addressed in recent literature. Conclusion: These findings emphasize the role of UCARE in enhancing global research efforts and contributing to the advancement of scientific discourse on chronic urticaria.