Global research on palliative care needs assessment in heart failure and COPD has increased substantially, with the United States as the leading contributor.
Research on palliative care needs in chronic nononcological diseases like heart failure is increasing, but lacks standardized approaches and evidence from low- and middle-income countries.
A BSTRACT Background: Patients with chronic nononcological diseases, particularly heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), often experience substantial physical, psychological, and social needs. However, palliative care in these populations remains underrecognized and is frequently introduced late. Understanding global research trends may help identify current priorities and gaps in the assessment of palliative care needs. Objective: To analyze global research trends in the assessment of palliative care needs among patients with chronic nononcological diseases, with particular focus on heart failure and COPD, using bibliometric methods. Materials and Methods: A bibliometric analysis was conducted using the PubMed database. The search included publications related to palliative care, needs assessment, heart failure, and COPD. Only English language articles published between 2016 and 2026 were included. After applying eligibility criteria and filters, 86 publications were selected for the analysis. Data were analyzed using the Bibliometrix package and Biblioshiny in RStudio. Annual publication trends, country scientific production, leading affiliations, leading authors, collaboration networks, and keyword trends were evaluated. Results: The number of publications increased substantially over the study period, particularly after 2023, with the highest scientific production observed in 2025. The United States was the leading contributor to the literature, followed by several European countries. The most productive institutions and authors were concentrated in high-income countries. Collaboration network analysis demonstrated relatively limited international cooperation. Keyword analysis showed that the main research topics included symptom burden, quality of life, caregivers, heart failure, COPD, and early integration of palliative care. Conclusion: Global research on the assessment of palliative care needs among patients with chronic nononcological diseases has increased in recent years. Nevertheless, important gaps remain, including limited evidence from low- and middle-income countries, insufficient international collaboration, and inadequate attention to structured needs assessment. Future studies should focus on developing standardized approaches for the early identification of palliative care needs in patients with heart failure and COPD.
Kalbagayeva et al. (Thu,) conducted a other in Chronic nononcological diseases (heart failure and COPD) (n=86). Palliative care needs assessment research was evaluated on Global research trends (annual publication trends, country scientific production, leading affiliations, leading authors, collaboration networks, and keyword trends). Global research on palliative care needs assessment in heart failure and COPD has increased substantially, with the United States as the leading contributor.