A bibliometric analysis of global trends in AI-driven digital health technologies for diabetes management

Abstract

Background: Digital health technologies are increasingly applied in diabetes care, enabling continuous monitoring, personalized support and remote interventions. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence (AI) is enhancing the precision and effectiveness of these tools. This study aims to map global research trends and thematic developments in AI-driven digital health technologies for diabetes management and to explore their future directions. Methods: We collected data from the Web of Science Core Collection, including articles and reviews published up to July 12, 2025, using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Microsoft Excel to analyze countries/regions, institutions, journals, references, authors, and keywords. Results: A total of 673 publications were included in the analysis. Global publications on AI-driven digital health technologies for diabetes increased steadily, with the USA leading in output. The University of London ranked as the most productive institution. Sensors and diabetes care were the most frequently published and cited journals in this field. Herrero P was among the most prolific authors. The most cited article was “Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Algorithm for Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy in Retinal Fundus Photographs.” “diabetes” was the most frequently occurring keyword. Keyword cluster analysis identified 3 primary research hotspots: AI-enabled monitoring, digital health interventions, and AI-based diabetic retinopathy screening. Conclusions: This study summarizes the evolution of AI-driven digital health technologies in diabetes care. Although challenges remain in data security, standardization and validation, these technologies hold increasing potential for accurate diagnosis, real-time monitoring and personalized care.