Bibliometric analysis on off-label use of amphotericin B and its lipid formula

Zhang Yong; Wang Dong; Mei Hekun

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1672-8521.2014.03.010

Abstract：Objective:To investigate the recent development of off-label use of amphotericin B and its lipid for-mula over the past 41 years based on a bibliometric approach for selecting subjects,in order to provide reference for off-label use of amphotericin B and its lipid formula. Methods:Literature was searched in Pubmed,Embase, Science Citation Index,CNKI from July 1973 to March 2014. EndNote 7.0 was used to sort these articles,and the bibliometric analysis was carried out in respect of published years,author,published institutions,citation rate, and research contents etc.Results:A total of 641 papers were collected,including 610 foreign articles and 31 Chi-nese papers. Among 641 papers,the earliest articles were published in 1973,the number of the most frequently cited article was 585 times,and its content was advances in leishmaniasis. The main diseases demanding overdose treatment were mucormycosis,fusariosis,and premature infants (new born with very low birth weight),and can-dida infections. Extraordinary indication was for the treatment of leishmaniasis;extraordinary indication was ocu-lar inj ection.Conclusions:Off-label use of amphotericin B and its lipid formula has a certain rationality. In foreign countries,off-label use of amphotericin B is for the treatment of leishmaniasis,but in China it is mainly eye injec-tions. Many researchers pay more attention to Off-label use of amphotericin B and its lipid formulations has attrac-ted global interest and the research will be studied deeper.