Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Spain: Scientific Output, Collaboration and Research Characteristics.

Abstract

Inflammatory bowel disease research in Spain has expanded considerably in recent decades; however, no structured evaluation has comprehensively assessed its scientific production or its representation at major international congresses. This study aimed to provide a descriptive overview of recent Spanish contributions to clinical, translational, and basic inflammatory bowel disease research, and to analyse scientific leadership, regional distribution, methodological approaches, research topics, and gender representation. Publications from 2020 to 2024 were systematically retrieved from PubMed and classified according to study type, research topic, methodology, journal quartile ranking, and authorship characteristics. Accepted communications presented at the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation congresses between 2019 and 2024 were also evaluated regarding study type, presentation format, scientific leadership, gender of the last author, and regional origin. A total of 1,361 Spanish scientific contributions were identified. Clinical research represented 61.3% (n = 834) of publications, whereas basic and translational studies accounted for 38.7% (n = 527) of the total output. 84.5% (n = 1,150) of publications were published in Quartile 1 or 2 journals, and 30.6% (n = 291) of Quartile 1 articles appeared in top-decile journals. Scientific activity was predominantly concentrated in Catalonia and Madrid. Advanced experimental methodologies were frequently employed in basic and translational research. Across congress communications, 638 abstracts were identified, with Spain contributing 8.5-12.4% of total accepted presentations (n = 80-126 abstracts annually). Women were more frequently represented in leadership roles in basic and translational research than in clinical studies. The current landscape of IBD research in Spain is characterised by sustained scientific activity, a broad spectrum of clinical, translational and basic research, and extensive international collaboration, despite marked regional differences in research productivity and persistent gender disparities in leadership.