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Review Article
Research Trends and Hotspots in Levodopa-induced Dyskinesia: A Bibliometric Analysis (2015-2024)
Haixin Shi
,
Jiaxuan Chen,
Xinman Fan,
Xiaoxin Xu,
Xiaohong Xu*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
1-13
Received:
25 January 2026
Accepted:
12 February 2026
Published:
27 February 2026
Abstract: Levodopa is a core therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease (PD), while its long-term administration often leads to levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), which significantly compromises patients’ quality of life. This study utilizes bibliometric analysis to examine research trends in LID over the past decade, with the aim of identifying key research hotspots and prospective directions in the field. Relevant publications published between 2015 and 2024 were retrieved from the Web of Science and PubMed databases. A total of 691 articles were ultimately included for systematic analysis. Visual analytic techniques were applied using VOSviewer and CiteSpace to examine publication trends, contributions by countries and institutions, author collaboration networks, and keyword clustering. The annual number of publications in LID research exhibited a declining trend over the study period, with a peak in 2015. The United States and institution CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) contributed most significantly. Movement Disorders was the leading journal in both publication volume (54 articles) and citations (2,369). Author Huot P. was the most prolific (25 articles). Keyword analysis identified core themes encompassing "disease-drug-complication-intervention-model." The knowledge structure developed around key clusters: disease models and Parkinson Disease/Drug Therapy. Trend analysis revealed a move from retrospective etiology to refined safety assessments and mechanism-driven interventions. This study outlines the global research landscape and developmental trends in LID, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for future investigations into non-invasive brain stimulation, precision medicine, and novel drug therapies. Further research should emphasize early LID prediction, targeted treatments, and multidisciplinary management.
Abstract: Levodopa is a core therapeutic agent for Parkinson's disease (PD), while its long-term administration often leads to levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID), which significantly compromises patients’ quality of life. This study utilizes bibliometric analysis to examine research trends in LID over the past decade, with the aim of identifying key research ...
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Research Article
Geographical and Socioeconomic Inequalities in the Utilization of Maternal Healthcare Services in Nigeria
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
14-30
Received:
6 February 2026
Accepted:
20 February 2026
Published:
4 March 2026
Abstract: Maternal healthcare utilization remains suboptimal in Nigeria, with persistent socioeconomic and geographical disparities undermining progress toward reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. This study aims to assess the geographical and socioeconomic inequalities of maternal healthcare utilization in Nigeria. Maternal healthcare utilization in Nigeria remains suboptimal, with persistent socioeconomic and geographical disparities hindering progress in reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. This study assessed inequalities in the utilization of antenatal care (ANC4+), facility-based delivery (FBD), and postnatal care (PNC) using data from the 2018 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey. Socioeconomic inequalities were examined using Erreygers Normalized Concentration Indices (ENCI) and concentration curves disaggregated by region and residence, while decomposition analysis identified key drivers. Findings revealed significant pro-rich inequalities across all services. Facility-based delivery showed the widest gaps (urban ENCI = 0.295; rural = 0.121), particularly in the Northwest (0.398) and Northeast (0.254). ANC4+ visits displayed moderate inequality, highest in the Northwest (0.169). PNC showed minimal inequality, with ENCI values near zero. Wealth status was the strongest contributor to inequality, supported by education, parity, and religion, while age, marital status, employment, autonomy, and insurance played minor roles. Although overall utilization was higher in urban areas, inequality was more pronounced there, highlighting deep intra-urban socioeconomic divides. Substantial socioeconomic and geographic inequities persist in maternal healthcare utilization in Nigeria. Targeted interventions addressing financial, educational, and sociocultural barriers, especially in northern and urban-poor populations, are crucial to narrowing gaps and improving maternal outcomes.
Abstract: Maternal healthcare utilization remains suboptimal in Nigeria, with persistent socioeconomic and geographical disparities undermining progress toward reducing maternal morbidity and mortality. This study aims to assess the geographical and socioeconomic inequalities of maternal healthcare utilization in Nigeria. Maternal healthcare utilization in N...
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Research Article
Modeling Diabetic Neuropathy in Type 2 Diabetes Patients via the Absorbing Markov Chain in Techiman Municipality, Ghana
Gladys Bayeldeng,
Irene Kafui Vorsah Amponsah*
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 1, March 2026
Pages:
31-39
Received:
11 February 2026
Accepted:
24 February 2026
Published:
9 March 2026
Abstract: Diabetes is one of the top ten diseases that causes death, and it has become a major concern in many countries, with type 2 diabetes accounting for 96% of diabetes cases. The progression of type 2 diabetes to neuropathy is a complex process influenced by various factors, including glycemic control, duration of diabetes, and individual characteristics. Absorbing chains are one of the applications of Markov chains, which are used to determine how long patients remain in a transient state before they are absorbed. The study objective was to predict the mean sojourn time (average time) that type 2 diabetic patients live with the disease before they enter the absorbed state (i.e., amputation of the limbs or death). Fasting blood sugar levels and neuropathy conditions developed by type 2 diabetic patients were divided into eight states. The states were further classified into transient and absorbing states, where States 1-6 (low FBS, normal FBS, moderate FBS, high FBS, and numbness) formed transient states, and States 7 and 8 were absorbing states (amputation of limbs and death). The results revealed that the average time for patients with a low FBS state to stay with the disease before their limbs are amputated or to die is 14 years, and the average time for those with normal and moderate FBS states is 27 years each. Patients in the high and numbness states have average stay times of 26 and 23 years, respectively, to live with the disease before their limbs are amputated or they die. However, patients in the ulcer state have an average of two years to live with the disease before their limbs are amputated or die. In conclusion, patients’ condition deteriorates gradually as they transition to the complication stage, and patients are more likely to have their limbs amputated or die.
Abstract: Diabetes is one of the top ten diseases that causes death, and it has become a major concern in many countries, with type 2 diabetes accounting for 96% of diabetes cases. The progression of type 2 diabetes to neuropathy is a complex process influenced by various factors, including glycemic control, duration of diabetes, and individual characteristi...
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