ObjectiveTo learn the distribution pattern and characteristics of autoimmune pancreatitis research literature, and its worldwide research trend. MethodsPublished data between September 22, 2004 and September 21, 2014 were searched by using the keyword autoimmune pancreatitis in the database of Pubmed. Publication year, journals, authors and research topics were bibliometrically analyzed. The analysis software Bibliographic Item Co-occurrence Matrix Builder was used for cluster analysis on high-frequency keywords. ResultsA total of 1 518 articles on autoimmune pancreatitis were acquired. The amount of published literature rose rapidly in the past 10 years, reaching its peak in the year of 2012. Most of the articles were published by several leading authors in the leading journals. There were 26 keywords with a frequency of more than 30 times, and 4 categories were classified through cluster analysis of these keywords. They were pathology and immunology, imaging, diagnosis and treatment. ConclusionsAttention on autoimmune pancreatitis has been increasing in the recent 10 years. Japanese researchers have been taking the lead. Current research focus is the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis.