Global research trends on the association between gastric cancer and chronic atrophic gastritis: a bibliometric analysis

Chronic atrophic gastritis (CAG) is a recognized precancerous condition associated with gastric cancer (GC). Although previous bibliometric analyses have separately examined GC or CAG, few studies have comprehensively explored their interrelationship. In this study, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to evaluate research progress, identify developmental trends and hotspots, and provide guidance for future studies addressing the association between GC and CAG. Publications concerning GC and CAG were retrieved from the Web of Science database, covering studies published between 1 January 2003 and 5 March 2025. Bibliometric and visualization analyses were performed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software. In total, 1062 articles published from 2003 to 2025 were included, revealing a steady increase in publications each year. China, Japan, and the USA were the most productive countries. China Medical University contributed the highest number of publications, while Yuan, Y, and Correa, P were identified as the most productive and highly cited authors. Although numerous journals have contributed to the field, World Journal of Gastroenterology and Gastroenterology the emerged as leading journals based on publication numbers and citation frequency. Keyword and co-cited reference analysis indicated that factors influencing the progression from CAG to GC and endoscopic resection (ER) represent current research hotspots. Furthermore, future research trends are likely to emphasize GC screening, diagnosis, and the application of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. This bibliometric analysis of studies concerning GC and CAG identifies current research hotspots and provides valuable recommendations for future research directions.