Mapping the scientific landscape of intestinal failure: forty-five years of evidence, imbalance, and emerging priorities

Background: Intestinal failure is a severe condition that requires complex, multidisciplinary management and long-term nutritional support. Despite its clinical relevance, no previous bibliometric analyses have mapped the global research landscape on intestinal failure, nor have they explored geographic or socioeconomic disparities in evidence production. This study aimed to characterize the evolution, distribution, and thematic focus of global research on intestinal failure. Methods: A scientometrics study was conducted using Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed. Publications were included if they addressed intestinal failure as defined by the MeSH term “Intestinal Failure” (Unique ID: D00090124). Quantitative indicators were calculated using R and Python. Countries were classified by income level and geographic region according to the World Bank. Collaboration networks, keyword trends, and thematic evolution were analyzed through network and visual mapping. Results: A total of 3513 articles were included. Research output was dominated by high-income countries (90.2%), particularly the United States (32.4%), the United Kingdom (12.6%), and Western Europe. Latin America, Africa, and South Asia were markedly underrepresented. Thematic concentration centered on parenteral nutrition, short bowel syndrome, and intestinal transplantation, while emerging topics included catheter infections, sarcopenia, and microbiota. Temporal analyses revealed increased output and impact since 2010, peaking in 2022. Conclusions: Global research on intestinal failure is growing, but remains geographically and economically inequitable. This analysis reveals structural gaps in evidence generation and underscores the need to foster inclusive, context-relevant research agendas to advance scientific equity in the field of intestinal failure.