Chinese research into severe ulcerative colitis has increased in quantity and complexity

Luo, Cheng-Xin; Wen, Zhong-Hui; Zhen, Yu; Wang, Zhu-Jun; Mu, Jing-Xi; Zhu, Min; Ouyang, Qin; Zhang, Hu

In addition to epidemiological information, bibliometric analyses provide a perspective of research hotspots. For example, according to Ouyang et al [18] , articles of basic research on IBD in China rapidly increased and predominantly focused on immunological mechanisms. Moreover, bibliometric analysis of indicators including publication output and research complexity is widely used to assess the performance of the research programs of institutions and/or countries [19, 20] . As mentioned above, China has witnessed an increasing incidence and prevalence of UC. Furthermore, China's population accounts for 20% of the total world population. A comprehensive study of the quantity and quality of SUCrelated Chinese publications is desperately needed. This study aims to perform a bibliometric analysis to determine the temporal trends in the number of Chinese publications on UC and SUC between 2001 and 2015, and to assess the SUC research performance. This study also aims to provide a review of the data on treatment type and efficacy in SUC patients that has been reported in Chinese medical journals. In addition, such a study can more broadly provide insight into improving UC and SUC treatment worldwide.