Mapeamento da produção científica que abrange a vitamina D e a população negra: revisão bibliométrica e revisão de escopo

Abstract

This dissertation offers a comprehensive overview of scientific research on vitamin D in black populations. In the context of intense debate and uncertainty, the study addresses the lack of mapping of scientific research on vitamin D in black populations, identifying a gap in knowledge that hinders a comprehensive understanding of the topic. The objectives outlined were: (1) to map temporal and geographical trends in publication; (2) to characterize study designs, racial classification methods, and research objectives; and (3) to identify methodological and thematic gaps. To achieve the proposed objectives, two complementary methodological approaches were adopted, bibliometric and scope, which formed the basis for the preparation of two scientific articles. The first study consisted of a bibliometric review conducted in the Scopus and Web of Science databases without restrictions on period or language. Articles that studied the relationship of vitamin D in the black population were included. The results were presented in network maps, word clouds, and graphs. The second article was a scope review that followed the structure recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. This review was conducted in seven different databases without language or time restrictions. Studies that focused on vitamin D and the black population were included. The results were synthesized through narrative analysis and presented in summary tables. The bibliometric review revealed a growing interest in the topic, with an annual increase of 4.84% in publications since 1935. The research is highly concentrated in a limited number of authors and institutions, mainly in the United States, which leads both scientific production and global influence. Factor analysis further classifies the research into three primary trends: clinical and methodological studies, metabolic and biochemical aspects, and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. The scope review resulted in 6,597 initial records, with only 261 studies meeting the eligibility criteria, of which more than 85% were conducted in the United States. Cross- sectional designs, observational cohorts, and supplementation trials predominated, with an almost exclusive focus on biomedical outcomes (serum 25-OH-D levels, metabolism, and effectiveness of interventions). The findings of this dissertation highlight the predominance of biomedical approaches, with little consideration of social, structural, and racial determinants of health. The lack of geographic diversity, interdisciplinary methodologies, and more robust racial classification criteria reinforces the need to broaden the scope of research on vitamin D in black populations. By mapping scientific production and identifying relevant gaps, this work contributes to supporting future investigations that are more critical, contextualized, and committed to health equity.