Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends And Characteristics of Drug-Induced Gingival Overgrowth

Objectives: Drug-induced gingival overgrowth (DIGO) is a common adverse drug reaction generally caused by the cyclosporine, phenytoin and nifedipine which belong to the category of immunosuppressant, anticonvulsant and calcium channel blocker respectively. The objective of the bibliometric analysis was to depict main citation characteristics and analyze research trend in the field of DIGO.Methods: An exhaustive search was performed in the Scopus database for the bibliometric list of DIGO in the syntax. The information related to the number of citations, drugs related to DIGO, study topic and design, authorship, year of publication, journal, contributing institution, country of origin and department was extracted.Results: A total of 399 papers on DIGO were retrieved. The total number of citations and that after removal of self-citations is 7814 and 7314, respectively. The mean number of citations is 19.6, with a range of 0 to 608. Article (76.9%) and review (19.5%) are the main paper types. A remarkable increasing trend in the number of citations is observed since 1994. Cyclosporine (45%) is the most common used drug which has close relation with DIGO, followed by nifedipine, phenytoin (both are 18%), amlodipine (7%). Review (28%) constitutes the most design in the study of DIGO. According to the top 20 keywords, the risk factors and pathogenesis of DIGO have been the hot area of research for several years.Conclusions: The bibliometric study is the first of its kind to identify the top-cited articles and their main characteristics and research trend of DIGO. Risk factors and pathogenesis is the hotspot of research in the field of DIGO. More high level of scientific evidence on DIGO, such as systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials, are encouraged to serve as good helper to reduce the incidence and severity of DIGO.