Addressing the research gap in IBD and MASLD: Time for coordinated action

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) have garnered significant global attention due to their rising prevalence and substantial public health burden. Meta-analyses and large-scale epidemiological studies from North America, Europe, and Asia consistently demonstrate increasing incidence rates of IBD in newly industrialized countries,[1] alongside an escalating burden of MASLD-related cirrhosis and metabolic complications.[2,3] A systematic review further underscores the high prevalence of MASLD among individuals with type 1 diabetes, highlighting the need for improved screening protocols and integrated, multidisciplinary models of care.[4] These international findings underscore persistent global challenges including underdiagnosis, limited awareness, and the absence of robust research networks and funding mechanisms. Benchmarking regional bibliometric trends against global patterns can provide valuable insight for identifying research gaps, setting strategic priorities, and building regional capacity in the Arab world. The rising burden of chronic diseases in the Arab world has profound implications on healthcare systems, research agendas, and public health planning. The analyses published in this issue of the Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology offer timely insights into the state of regional research activity surrounding IBD and MASLD.[5,6] Collectively, these studies reveal substantial discrepancies between disease burden and scholarly output, presenting an opportunity for a strategic and coordinated response. Bibliometric analysis offers a structured approach to evaluate the volume, impact, and evolution of scientific output. By assessing citation patterns, collaboration networks, and funding trends, bibliometric tools help elucidate strengths and deficiencies within research ecosystems. In emerging fields or underrepresented regions such as IBD and MASLD research in the Arab world, these methods are instrumental in aligning academic focus with public health priorities.[7,8] From 2009 to 2023, Arab countries accounted for just 2.9% of global IBD-related publications. Although Saudi Arabia and Egypt were the largest contributors, the overall citation impact of regional publications fell short of international benchmarks (14.49 vs 23.98).[5] Moreover, only 18.7% of IBD-related publications from the region acknowledged funding support, compared to 32.4% globally. Encouragingly, countries with higher IBD incidence, prevalence, and GDP tended to produce more research, indicating partial alignment between disease burden and research activity.[5,7] A parallel pattern is seen in MASLD research. Despite a regional disease prevalence nearly twice the global average,[2,9] Arab institutions contributed only 3.3% of global MASLD publications from 2014 to 2023.[6] Citation impact also did not match global standards (15.7 vs 23.7), and fewer than one in five studies received research funding. Notably, international collaborations were associated with improved citation impact, reaffirming the importance of global partnerships in enhancing research visibility and quality.[6,10] Several shared themes and challenges emerge from these analyses. These include a gap between disease burden and research output, disparities across Arab countries in research output, value of international collaborations, and limited research funding. The prevalence of IBD and MASLD is increasing, yet research investment has not kept pace.[2,9] The underrepresentation or absence of some Arab countries in research output is driven by institutional capacity, access to funding, and research infrastructure.[6,11] International collaborations enhance research quality, methodological rigor, and impact, leading to citation metrics exceeding global averages.[5,6,12] Funding remains a critical constraint with locally funded studies being rare and those that receive financial support more likely to be published in high impact journals and cited more frequently.[6,8,10] Addressing these gaps requires a shift from observation to a prioritization of action grounded in practical, scalable solutions. This requires an increase in dedicated regional and national funding by governments and institutions, which has demonstrated tangible benefits.[6] Research training and capacity must improve by implementing structured mentorship programs, allocating protected time, and offering training in grant writing, scientific publication, and research methodology.[6,7] Policymakers and funders should incentivize the creation of regional and international disease-specific research consortia. These networks can standardize data collection, enable multicenter studies, and foster knowledge exchange across institutions and borders.[5,6,12] We must promote translation of research into policy to better benefit society by collaborating with ministries of health and public health departments.[2,9,13] We should also invest in regional journals to cultivate regional research and build platforms to better highlight that research.[6,8] In conclusion, as the Arab world confronts evolving epidemiological realities, the need for evidence-based health policy and practice becomes increasingly urgent. The bibliometric analyses presented in this issue do more than tally publications; they highlight the pressing need for investment, infrastructure development, and collaboration. Investing in gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disease research is not just an academic goal, it is a lifeline for millions across the Arab world. By realigning research efforts with disease burden and fostering a more integrated and collaborative research environment, Arab countries can close the gap between scientific output and clinical need, further advancing health outcomes and contributing meaningfully to the global research landscape.

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