Muhammed Salih SÜER, Serkan DEMİR
Academic Journal of Health - 2026;4(1):18-24
Background: The Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet (HALP) score is an emerging immune-nutritional biomarker that integrates systemic inflammation, nutritional status, and immune competence. While clinical studies have associated low HALP scores with poor survival outcomes in multiple malignancies, the global research landscape of HALP score remains unmapped. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection without language or time restrictions. Eligible publications explicitly mentioning HALP score were analyzed using the Bibliometrix R package and Biblioshiny interface. Descriptive indicators, citation metrics, and source-level analyses were reported in line with BIBLIO guidelines. Co-authorship networks, keyword co-occurrence, thematic maps, and trend analyses were employed to examine the intellectual structure and evolution of the field. Results: A total of HALP score-related publications showed a sharp rise after 2020, reaching their highest output in 2025. China dominated in publication volume, while the United States led in citation impact. Institutional productivity was concentrated in a limited group of centers, particularly the University of Health Sciences and Qingdao University. Co-citation and keyword network analyses revealed three major thematic clusters, anchored by a foundational core of early studies and a rapidly expanding new research wave. The conceptual structure of the field consistently revolved around inflammation, nutrition, and oncologic outcomes. Despite rapid growth, international collaboration remained limited and methodological heterogeneity was pronounced. Conclusion: HALP score research is expanding quickly but remains in an early developmental stage, characterized by uneven global distribution, inconsistent cut-off values, and fragmented methodological approaches. This bibliometric analysis clarifies the current landscape, identifies research gaps, and highlights the need for standardized methods and broader collaborative networks. Strengthening multicenter studies and harmonizing analytical frameworks will be essential for advancing the clinical utility and global adoption of the HALP score.
