Op Ed: Research output on nutritional support in IBD has increased, with a shift towards enteral routes.
Background & Rationale
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, frequently presents with nutritional deficiencies due to inflammation-induced malabsorption, increased metabolic demands, and diarrhoea. Nutritional support, both enteral and parenteral, plays a crucial role in managing IBD-related malnutrition, inducing remission, and optimising outcomes. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the research landscape concerning enteral and parenteral nutrition in IBD using bibliometric analysis. This approach offers a quantitative assessment of research trends, identifying influential studies, and highlighting emerging areas of investigation within the field over the period 1999-2025.
Study Design
Researchers conducted a bibliometric analysis of publications addressing enteral and parenteral nutrition in IBD. Data were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database. Search terms included ‘inflammatory bowel disease’ OR ‘Crohn disease’ OR ‘ulcerative colitis’ combined with ‘enteral nutrition’ OR ‘parenteral nutrition’ OR ‘artificial nutrition’. The search covered publications from 1999 to 2025, inclusive. Publications were screened based on title and abstract to ensure relevance. Data extracted included publication year, document type, source titles, authors, countries/territories involved, and numbers of citations. Analysis was performed using CiteSpace software to visualise co-occurrence networks and identify key research hotspots.
Patient Population
This analysis did not involve a direct patient population. The review encompassed studies investigating the use of enteral and parenteral nutrition in patients with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. The specific characteristics of patients included within the primary studies varied considerably, reflecting the diverse nature of IBD research and patient cohorts. The data represents the totality of published research on the topic, rather than a specific clinical sample.
Key Findings
A total of 768 publications met the inclusion criteria. The number of publications steadily increased over the study period, with a marked acceleration from 2010 onwards. The most productive sources were Gut, American Journal of Gastroenterology, and Clinical Nutrition. The United States was the leading country in terms of publications (283), followed by England (112) and Canada (78). The most prolific author was Colombel JF, with 31 publications.
Analysis of keyword co-occurrence revealed several distinct research clusters. One dominant cluster focused on exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) for paediatric Crohn’s disease, with a central emphasis on its efficacy in inducing remission and promoting mucosal healing. Another cluster related to parenteral nutrition and its role in perioperative management and severe acute colitis. Interest in immunomodulatory effects of nutrition, including omega-3 fatty acids and glutamine, formed a third significant area of research. Increasing attention was observed on the microbiome’s interaction with nutritional interventions. The average number of citations per publication increased from 12 in 1999 to 35 in 2025.
Discussion
The bibliometric analysis demonstrates a progressive increase in research regarding nutritional support in IBD over the last quarter century. The sustained growth likely reflects a greater understanding of the crucial link between nutrition and disease outcomes, alongside advancements in nutritional formulations and delivery methods. The prominence of EEN in paediatric Crohn’s disease highlights its established role in this population. The emergence of microbiome-related keywords suggests a growing recognition of the complex interplay between diet, gut microbiota, and IBD pathogenesis.
The study identifies a concentration of research originating from North America and Europe, potentially reflecting differences in healthcare infrastructure and research funding. While the study does not evaluate the quality of the included research, the increase in average citations over time is a generally accepted indicator of growing impact. Overall, the findings support the continued importance of nutritional interventions as an integral part of IBD management.
Authors’ Conclusions
The authors conclude that research output relating to enteral and parenteral nutrition in IBD has increased dramatically between 1999 and 2025, demonstrating a growing interest in the field. The study identifies key research hotspots, including exclusive enteral nutrition for paediatric Crohn’s disease, parenteral nutrition in acute colitis, and the role of the microbiome. These findings can inform future research directions and contribute to improved nutritional strategies for individuals with IBD.
Reference
Zhong L, Qing Y, Liu J. The role of enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition in the management of inflammatory bowel disease: a bibliometric analysis (1999-2025). Frontiers in nutrition. 2026; 1767514. DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1767514.