Research Status and Hot Spot Visualization Analysis of Osteoporosis from 2014 to 2025

Introduction

Osteoporosis is a chronic bone condition characterized by reduced bone density and structural changes, increasing fracture risk. The bones weaken due to reduced bone mass and a modified microarchitecture, consequently elevating the risk of fragility and fracture.^1,2 Globally, over 200 million individuals are affected by osteoporosis. Recent statistics indicate that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men over 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures at some point in their lives.^3–5 Osteoporosis imposes a significant disease burden; the economic burden in the US is projected to reach $25.3 billion annually by 2025, reflecting the significant costs associated with osteoporotic fractures and related healthcare needs.⁶ With increased life expectancy, osteoporosis poses significant health issues such as disability, pain, and even death, along with socio-economic challenges.⁷ Osteoporosis development is influenced by both natural aging processes and external factors, including glucocorticoid use, hormone deficiencies, decreased bone formation, and microarchitectural disorders.⁸

Introduced in 1969, bibliometrics, formerly called statistical bibliography, uses statistical methods to analyze literature, and tools like CiteSpace and VOSviewer, revealing research frontiers and trends in a field.⁹

This research aims to thoroughly assess the current research landscape in this field by analyzing literature on osteoporosis published between 2014 and 2025. It is also structured to analyze, interpret, and summarize relevant studies to delineate future research hotspots and paths, offering significant references and recommendations for scientists in their upcoming investigations and clinical practices.

Methods

Search Strategies

A search for osteoporosis-related literature was conducted on February 28, 2025, using PubMed and the Web of Science Core Collection. The search formula for the Web of Science Core Collection is: Osteoporosis (topic); The search formula in PubMed is: Osteoporosis [Title/Abstract]. The search time range is from 2014 to 2025. The article types are reviews and articles, and the publication language is English. Every article obtained through search was stored as “full records and cited literature” and saved to a text file titled download*txt.

Data Inclusion and Exclusion

Criteria for Inclusion

Research linked to osteoporosis, categorized as articles and reviews, was included.

Criteria for Exclusion

The same published articles, other forms of literature, literature lacking core data such as keywords or author information, and Literature with incorrect parameter formats or unrecognizable parameters.

Processing Procedure

The title, abstract, and full text of every article were reviewed by the first and second authors, who then eliminated any that were unrelated to the subject. They sought input from the third author if they disagreed.

Data Collection and Analysis

The text files previously mentioned were uploaded into the built-in data converter of CiteSpace 6.3.R3 software to produce data formats compatible with the application, which were then saved to corresponding folders. A project titled “osteoporosis” was established within CiteSpace, with the following parameters set as: Time slicing set from January 2014 to February 2025, years per slice = 2, Criteria for selection set to the Top 50, and Pruning options including Pathfinder and Pruning Tender Networks, while all other settings remained at their defaults. Depending on the research objectives, the node type areas were designated as either “keyword or reference.” The keyword Burst Analysis was then selected from the submenu.

Data from the annual publication report generated by CiteSpace was transferred and stored in Microsoft Office Excel 2019 to create a data analysis chart. The parameters for VOSviewer version 1.6.18.0 were as follows: The number of papers from countries should have exceed 3, the number of papers from institutions should surpass 20, the number of journal papers should be greater than 5, more than 400 journals should be cited overall, the number of papers authored by individuals should be more than 12, more than 100 authors should be cited overall, the frequency of keyword occurrences should be more than 70, and the total number of cited references should exceed 20. All other parameters should retain their default settings.

Results

General Information and Annual Publication Output

100,064 publications were obtained: 47,047 from Web of Science and 53,017 from PubMed. Following the removal of duplicate and irrelevant literature, 10,343 pieces of literature were ultimately included. The selection process for the literature is illustrated in Figure 1.

Figure 1 Flowchart of literature selection.

The advancement of knowledge in the subject is evidenced by the annual publication count, which also acts as a significant indicator of emerging trends.¹⁰ The annual publications in this area were summarized over the past 12 years, as depicted by Figure 2. The total volume of publications between 2014 and 2025 exhibited a consistent increasing trajectory. But since there were only two months of data available for 2025, a decrease was noted. Overall, this field has experienced significant growth and gained increasing attention, and is constantly developing and progressing.

Figure 2 Annual number of publications on osteoporosis from 2014 to 2025.

Distribution of Countries/Territories and Institutions

Collaboration charts provide a novel perspective for evaluating academic impact by illustrating research partnerships among countries and institutions. They uncover trends and highlight the strengths of international collaboration.¹¹ This facilitates the discovery of significant research trends and the establishment of partnerships.¹¹

Following the analysis with VOSviewer software, it was observed from Figure 3A that 102 countries or territories had papers published. Notably, 83 of these countries have published more than 3 papers. The leading countries or territories in terms of publication volume are China (n=4,157), USA (n=1,596), Japan (n=594), England (n=555), and South Korea (n=537). The publication statistics for the top 10 regions or countries are detailed in Table 1.

Table 1 Top 10 Productive Countries/Territories Listed by Level of Research Productivity

Figure 3 Co-occurrence maps (A) Countries/Territories; (B) Institutions.

An examination of the institutions that have published research revealed that 9,462 were involved in research in this area, with 253 of them having published over 20 papers. Shanghai Jiao Tong University produced the most articles (n=197), then by Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine (n=154), Soochow University (n=142), Sichuan University (n=132), and China Medical University (n=129). In addition, 80% of the leading 10 institutions based on the volume of published research papers are located in China. This statistic demonstrates the strong and dynamic collaboration among institutions within the country, which effectively leverages regional strengths and bolsters the academic influence of China in the field. The collaborative efforts among these institutions are illustrated in Figure 3B, while Table 1 lists the top ten institutions ranked by their publication output.

Productive Journals and Co-Cited Journals

An examination of journals and their co-citations was carried out to determine the journals that were most frequently published and co-cited in the area of osteoporosis. The software analysis revealed that 10,343 articles were published across 1,784 different academic journals. Table 2 lists the top 10 journals and co-cited journals associated with osteoporosis. The journal with the most publications was Osteoporosis International (n=611), followed by Archives of Osteoporosis (n=347), Frontiers in Endocrinology (n=218), Bone (n=195), and Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism (n=159). Among all the journals included, journals with more than five publications were selected for density mapping (Figure 4A) to show more clearly the high-yielding journals.

Table 2 The Top 10 Osteoporosis-Associated Journals and the Co-Cited Journals

Figure 4 The density maps (A) Journals; (B) Co-cited journals.

A total of 26,331 journals were cited, with 190 of them receiving over 400 citations each. The density map illustrated in Figure 4B highlights journals that have been co-cited more than 100 times. As indicated in Table 2, the journal cited the most was Osteoporosis Int (n=32,382), followed by the J Bone Miner Res (n=28,285), Bone (n=16,063), J Clin Endocr Metab (n=10,392), and New Engl J Med (n=7,838).

The organization of topics within academic journals is effectively depicted by the dual-map overlay of journals, which has cited journals on the right and citing journals on the left. The connections between citing and cited journals are depicted by colored pathways. As illustrated in Figure 5, the 5 key reference paths indicated that published studies in Molecular/Biology/Genetics, Health/Nursing/Medicine, and Sports/Rehabilitation/Sport journals were predominantly cited by Molecular/Biology/Immunology and Medicine/Medical/Clinical journals.

Figure 5 The dual-map overlay of journals related to osteoporosis. Notes: Left: the citing journals, Right: the cited journals.

Authors and Cited Authors Analysis

According to the findings from the VOSviewer software, 45,966 authors published relevant literature on osteoporosis. Table 3 illustrates that Cooper Cyrus had the most publications (n=49), then Lewiecki E. Michael (n=44), Leslie William D (n=43), Reginster Jeanyves (n=38), and Zhang Lei (n=35). Additionally, applying a minimum threshold of 12 publications per author, a final count of 234 authors was chosen to create the network map. The findings illustrated in Figure 6A, which employed various colors to denote different clusters, indicated a strong link among these clusters. Additionally, strong collaborations in the same cluster were readily identifiable among authors, including pairs like Zhang Lei and Li Jie, Nakamura Toshitaka and Soen Satoshi, Lewiecki E Michael and Nieves Jeri W, as well as Cooper Cyrus and Reginster Jeanyves.

Table 3 Top 10 Authors by Count of Citations or Publications

Figure 6 The osteoporosis co-occurrence maps (A) Authors; (B) Co-authors.

Two or more authors who have been referenced together in multiple studies are co-cited authors. We identified 124,905 co-authors in all, as shown in Figure 6B. According to the information presented in Table 3, each of the top ten authors received over 900 co-citations, with Kanis Ja being the most frequently cited (n=4,939), followed by Black Dm (n=2,026), Cosman F (n=1,836), Cummings Sr (n=1,729), and Khosla S (n=1,178). Furthermore, the density map includes 415 authors who have received more than 100 co-citations, effectively illustrating authors that are co-cited most frequently by using a spectrum of color.

Keyword Co-Occurrence, Clusters, and Evolution

Co-Occurrence of Keywords Analysis

In academic research, keywords are important words or concepts that represent the core focus and theoretical underpinnings of a study, aiding in discoverability and indexing.¹² Consequently, by examining the keywords of a paper, we can gain insights into its themes and main arguments, as well as identify the current state of research and emerging trends.¹³ Utilizing VOSviewer software, a total of 21,309 keywords were identified. Among these, 216 keywords were found to appear more than 70 times, as shown in Figure 7A. The co-occurrence timeline diagram of keywords is shown in Figure 7B. The keyword “osteoporosis” ranked first (n=6,615), followed by “bone-mineral density” (n=2,668), “postmenopausal women” (n=1,710), “women” (n=1,560), “risk” (n=1,427), “fracture” (n=1,103), “bone” (n=982), “prevention” (n=855) and “postmenopausal osteoporosis” (n=814) using a frequency-based ranking. Illustration of the top 20 keywords in Table 4 according to frequency.

Table 4 The Top 20 Osteoporosis-Related Keywords

Figure 7 (A) Keyword co-occurrence network diagram of osteoporosis-related research; (B) Keyword co-occurrence timeline diagram.

Keyword Cluster Analysis

The keyword clustering feature of CiteSpace assists readers in identifying the key research pathways in this field. Additionally, the cluster timeline map incorporates, providing a clearer visualization of the emergence and duration of each cluster, thereby effectively illustrating the evolution of each research direction. Figure 8A illustrates the application of the LLR method for categorizing keywords into thirteen distinct groups. Figure 8B provides a visual representation of the research focus and the evolutionary trajectory at each stage. Furthermore, Table 5 lists the representative keywords for each cluster. Our analysis revealed that the thirteen clusters encompassed four primary research directions. The first aspect was on the diagnosis and examination of osteoporosis, which included cluster #8 bone mineral density. The second aspect addressed the primary morbidity and complications associated with osteoporosis, which included cluster #5 obesity, #7 type 2 diabetes mellitus, and #11 glucocorticoid induced osteoporosis. The third aspect pertained to preventing and managing osteoporosis, which included Cluster #2 teriparatide,#4 fracture liaison service, and #9 vitamin d. Lastly, the fourth aspect examined the pathogenesis of osteoporosis, which included cluster #0 osteoclast, #1 osteogenic differentiation, #3 trabecular bone, #6 mendelian randomization, #10 cohort study, and #12 deep learning.

Table 5 Keyword Clustering Data Sheet

Figure 8 The keywords of osteoporosis-related research cluster map (A) and cluster landscape map (B).

Burst Keywords Analysis

The burst detection algorithm identifies changes in variables within a set time interval. By examining the burst detection of keywords, it is possible to understand the prevailing research trends at a given time and anticipate future research directions based on the persistence of these hotspots.^14,15 The metric used to assess the intensity of citation surges is referred to as the intensity value; a higher value indicates a more significant surge. Figure 9 illustrates the top 30 keywords with the most pronounced citation burst. The intensity values for these keywords varied between 5.4 and 20.28, with burst durations spanning from 3 to 5 years. Notably, strontium ranelate recorded the highest intensity at 20.28. Keywords such as artificial intelligence, osteogenesis, network pharmacology, traditional Chinese medicine, molecular docking, cellular senescence, and bone targeting remain relevant today, indicating their significance in research now and in the future.

Figure 9 Top 30 keywords with the highest frequency of citation bursts.

Analysis of References

Figure 10A presents a map illustrating co-cited references. The paper by Cosman F, published in Osteoporosis Int in 2014, is the most frequently cited work. The ten most cited articles are organized as detailed in Table 6.^3,16–24 Citation burst describes references that experience a high frequency of citations over an extended period. Figure 10B displays the top 30 references with the most significant burst values. Among the burst intensity results, Cosman F recorded the highest intensity at 120.7. Furthermore, Camacho PM, Compston JE, and Johnston CB have garnered significant attention.

Table 6 Top 10 Most Cited Publications

Figure 10 (A) Map of co-cited references. (B) Top 30 co-cited references with the most significant citation bursts.25–53

Discussion

General Information

Based on our screening criteria, 10,343 articles were identified. This collection includes contributions from 45,966 authors affiliated with 9,462 institutions in 102 countries and regions, ultimately resulting in the inclusion of 1,784 journals from the WoSCC and PubMed databases.

Through the application of bibliometrics and visual analysis techniques to examine relevant literature, we observed a consistent rise in publication numbers in osteoporosis from 2014 to 2025, particularly in the most recent years. This trend suggests that researchers have been interested in this area before 2014, and it continues to be a significant contemporary research topic. As more comprehensive studies are published, the volume of literature will continue to rise; however, numerous critical scientific challenges remain to be addressed. Consequently, this area remains a promising research hotspot that warrants further investment in manpower, material, and financial resources.

Examining the distribution and collaboration among nations, regions, and institutions can enhance global cooperation. In this study, China was determined to have the largest volume of publications, then the USA, Japan, England, and South Korea. Shanghai Jiao Tong University was ranked as the institution with the most publications, then Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Soochow University, Sichuan University, and China Medical University. The primary research contributors in this field are scholars from China and the United States, who are recognized for having the most significant and impactful studies on osteoporosis. This prominence may be attributed to factors such as economic advancement, a higher level of scientific inquiry, financial backing, and the availability of skilled personnel in these countries. Additionally, from the map, we can observe that China established significant and extensive collaborations with other countries. Key institutions such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the University of Sheffield, Seoul National University, and the University of Toronto form the foundation of these cooperative efforts. However, the level of overall collaboration remains insufficient. Consequently, it is crucial to remove academic obstacles and cultivate more profound and extensive collaborations and exchanges between nations and institutions to advance this field and enhance clinical care for a larger patient population.

Analyzing journals and major publications can aid researchers in identifying the most appropriate journal for submission. Osteoporosis International journal emerged as the leading journal with the largest publications (n=611) as well as the most co-citations (n=32,382). Furthermore, the findings from the journal double atlas superposition revealed that articles in Molecular/Biology/Genetics, Health/Nursing/Medicine, and Sports/Rehabilitation/Sport were predominantly referenced by journals centered on Molecular/Biology/Immunology and Medicine/Medical/Clinical disciplines. This suggests that the investigations in this area are chiefly oriented towards basic studies and translational medicine. Moreover, highlighting authors who have a significant number of co-published or co-cited works within a specific field can help in identifying the intellectual structure of the research field. By conducting an analysis, additional insights regarding potential collaborators and influential research teams can be made available. From our investigation, Cooper Cyrus was the most published author (n=49) and Kanis Ja was the most co-cited author (n=4,939), as Table 3 demonstrates, suggesting that they have the potential to make significant contributions to the field.

The Hotspots and Frontiers

Analyzing the co-occurrence of keywords in bibliometric data can reveal hotspots and potential directions within a specific research field by identifying frequently used and related terms. According to the information presented in Table 4. The top 20 high-frequency keywords associated with osteoporosis included bone mineral density, postmenopausal women, risk, fracture, bone, and prevention. These key words reflect the research trends and key contents in this field. Therefore, we further summarize, sort out and analyze these key words. This paper elaborates on the hot directions and trends in this research field from multiple aspects and provides examples, hoping to offer reference and inspiration for future researchers.

Study on Risk Factors and Clinical Diagnosis

Osteoporosis is a prevalent public health issue in China, specifically affecting women and the elderly.⁵⁴ The investigation of risk factors and clinical diagnosis related to osteoporosis is currently a significant area of research and a prominent topic of interest. Keywords associated with this field include bone mineral density, diagnosis, computed tomography, biochemical markers, quantitative ultrasound, x-ray absorptiometry, postmenopausal women, risk factors, and ovariectomy.

Osteoporosis, characterized by weakened bones and increased fracture risk, can stem from various factors, including hormonal changes, bad habits, genetic predispositions, and certain medical conditions or medications.^55,56 These factors directly and indirectly disrupt bone remodeling by affecting osteoclasts (bone-resorbing cells) and osteoblasts (bone-forming cells), ultimately reducing bone quality.⁵⁵ Risk factors for osteoporosis are categorized into modifiable and non-modifiable groups. Lifestyle habits and long-term use of glucocorticoids fall under the modifiable group, whereas genetic traits and race fall under the non-modifiable group.⁵⁵ Osteoporosis was further positively correlated with several factors, including marital status, current smoking habits, being underweight, having a history of hypertension, a history of fractures, an extended duration of menopause, and the occurrence of menopause itself.⁵⁴

Vitamin deficiencies are linked to an elevated likelihood of developing osteoporosis by epidemiological research investigations, indicating that vitamins are beneficial for bone health when taken within biological constraints.⁵⁷ Glucocorticoid therapy is a significant contributor to skeletal and endocrine complications.⁵⁸ Evidence suggests that kynurenines may serve as potential biomarkers for osteoporosis, sarcopenia, osteosarcopenia, and frailty in the elderly.⁵⁹ In numerous clinical and preclinical studies related to osteoporosis, the ketogenic diet has shown harmful effects by hindering bone formation and compromising bone microarchitecture.⁶⁰

New methods of diagnosing and evaluating osteoporosis have been made possible by recent advancements in medical imaging, particularly CT scans.⁶¹ Patients who are suspected of having osteoporosis, whether due to fragility fractures or low bone mineral density (BMD) as assessed by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), should undergo an assessment to exclude secondary causes.^62,63 Current evidence indicates that incorporating Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) alongside BMD and clinical risk factors improves fracture risk probability in both primary and secondary osteoporosis, aiding the initiation and therapy selection for osteoporosis.⁶⁴ It is important to note that a DXA machine cannot differentiate between low BMD resulting from osteoporosis and that caused by osteomalacia; therefore, clinicians must conduct a thorough evaluation along with relevant laboratory tests.⁶⁵ The trabecular bone score is a predictor of hip fractures and significant osteoporotic fractures, functioning at least in part independently of BMD and clinical risk factors.⁶⁴

Study on Pathogenesis and Targets

The pathogenesis of osteoporosis is extremely complex, involving oxidative stress and inflammation, and disruptions in apoptosis and hormone metabolism, resulting in bone loss and elevated fracture risk. A thorough investigation into the pathogenesis and mechanisms of the disease is crucial for preventing and treating the disease. The research focus of keywords such as bone loss, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, calcium, osteoblast, osteoclast, metabolism, mechanisms, and trabecular bone can help establish the trajectory of research, find research gaps, and aid in the development of its therapy.

Oxidative stress is identified as a major contributor to the onset of osteoporosis. Along with mitochondrial dysfunction, they can negatively influence cellular behavior and outcomes, thereby participating in osteoporosis development.⁶⁶ Moreover, oxidative stress triggers apoptosis of osteocytes and alters the levels of specific factors, including receptor activator κB ligand (RANKL), sclerostin, and, as recent studies suggest, fibroblast growth factor. This disruption leads to impaired bone remodeling and elevated bone resorption.⁶⁷ Additionally, Studies indicate that ferroptosis, a type of cell death, substantially participates in the development of diabetes osteoporosis, postmenopausal osteoporosis, and glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis.⁶⁸

In his review, Fang⁶⁹ explored the existing insights into how extracellular vesicles (EVs) influence bone homeostasis, detailing their classification, biogenesis, and the complex regulatory functions in osteoporosis. The study determined that EVs originating from different sources have varying impacts on osteoporosis. Particularly, EVs produced by osteoblasts, endothelial cells, myocytes, and mesenchymal stem cells facilitate bone formation through their specific cargo of proteins, miRNAs, and cytokines. In contrast, EVs released by osteoclasts and immune cells enhance bone resorption and suppress bone development.⁶⁹ According to earlier research,⁷⁰ normal bone remodeling is reliant on proteostasis. However, the deterioration of proteostasis associated with aging results in a dysfunctional proteostasis network (PN), which is unable to sustain bone homeostasis.⁷⁰ According to Amroodi, bone remodeling involves the Wnt, Notch, JAK/STAT, NF-κB, and TGF-β signaling pathways, and disruption of these pathways contributes to osteoporosis.⁷¹ Notably, the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is recognized as a primary mechanism in osteoblast differentiation and a vital therapeutic avenue for osteoporosis.⁷²

The imbalance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts is a crucial contributor to the onset of osteoporosis.⁷³ B-lymphocytes, traditionally recognized for participating in adaptive humoral immunity, are identified as significant regulators of bone remodeling. They use a variety of cytokines, such as RANK, OPG, and IL-7, to interact with osteoclasts and osteoblasts.⁷⁴ During inflammation, B-lymphocytes facilitate the activation and differentiation of osteoclasts.⁷⁴ Conversely, they also exhibit immunomodulatory functions, with regulatory B-lymphocytes (Bregs) producing TGF-β1 to inhibit harmful osteoclastogenesis.⁷⁴ Additionally, neutrophils, the most abundant type of leukocyte in the body, participate in the proinflammatory environment that contributes to osteoporotic changes in bone structure.⁷⁴

The feedback loop in the endocrine system works to control the release of hormones and maintain the homeostasis of metabolism, thereby regulating the function of target organs.⁷⁵ The breakdown of this feedback loop results in various endocrine and metabolic disorders, such as osteoporosis, type II diabetes, and hyperlipidemia.⁷⁵ Numerous studies have confirmed that m(6)A is essential for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), osteoblasts, and osteoclasts to proliferate, differentiate, migrate, invade, and repair. These processes all affect the entire pathophysiology of osteoporosis.⁷⁶

Study on Primary Morbidity and Complications

There are two main classifications of osteoporosis: primary and secondary. Primary osteoporosis is largely connected to the aging process.⁷⁷ Osteoporosis that arises from underlying medical conditions or the use of medications is categorized as secondary osteoporosis.^77,78 This disease is associated with numerous primary morbidities and complications. A thorough diagnosis and treatment addressing both the symptoms and underlying causes present significant challenges that merit extensive investigation and analysis. Keywords relevant to this area of research include obesity, sarcopenia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, breast cancer, estrogen deficiency, type 2 diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, hip fractures, vertebral fractures, osteoarthritis, and osteonecrosis.

The primary outcome of osteoporosis is an elevated likelihood of bone fractures, which can result in disability, persistent pain, and potentially early mortality, especially among older adults.^79,80 Osteoporotic fractures adversely influence quality of life and are linked to severe complications such as pneumonia, skin infections, and sepsis.⁸¹ Jiao⁸² conducted a comprehensive study that revealed an important link between indicators of obesity and BMD, providing important perspectives into the intricate link between obesity and bone health. Despite this, the relationship between obesity and osteoporosis is multifaceted, indicating that further research into the molecular mechanisms involved is essential.⁸³

Numerous conditions associated with lipid metabolism disorders, like nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, atherosclerosis, obesity, and menopause, are associated with osteoporotic phenotypes.⁸⁴ Liver injury induced by different liver diseases can cause an imbalance in bone metabolism, indicating a novel regulatory paradigm between the liver and bone.⁸⁵ Nevertheless, little is known about how the liver-bone axis contributes to primary and secondary osteoporosis.⁸⁵ The rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis are notably high in individuals with chronic pancreatitis, which may elevate the likelihood of fracture occurrence.⁸⁶

Earlier research has indicated that osteoporosis may result as a side effect of breast cancer treatment, although the precise mechanisms involved are largely unknown.⁸⁷ It can also be a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus.⁸⁸ Moreover, individuals with Gaucher disease often experience various bone manifestations, including osteopenia/osteoporosis, and osteonecrosis.⁸⁹ Additionally, in individuals with beta-thalassaemia, osteoporosis substantially contributes to morbidity and arises from various factors.⁹⁰ First, a decrease in trabecular bone tissue with cortical thinning results from bone marrow expansion brought on by ineffective erythropoiesis. Second, excessive iron loading raises bone turnover by causing endocrine dysfunction. Finally, a decrease in optimal bone mineralization may follow physical inactivity brought on by disease complications.⁹⁰

Study on Early Prevention and Clinical Treatment

The treatment of osteoporosis is a comprehensive process that mainly includes lifestyle adjustments, basic supplements, and medications. It is crucial for patients to adhere to a nutritious diet that includes foods high in calcium and sufficient protein, engage in moderate physical activity, and refrain from smoking while limiting alcohol consumption. Furthermore, calcium and vitamin D are frequently recommended as dietary supplements. Pharmacotherapy plays a vital role in treatment, with options including bisphosphonates, denosumab, teriparatide, baricitinib, and romosozumab. In addition, traditional Chinese medicine such as Jintiange capsule, Qianggu capsule can also be effective. For patients on long-term treatment, a sequential treatment pattern, such as teriparatide sequential bisphosphonate, or disumab, is important to effectively improve bone mineral density and reduce fracture risk. The representative keywords of this research direction include teriparatide, denosumab, bisphosphonates, hormone replacement therapy, zoledronic acid, alendronate, and traditional Chinese medicine.

A study assessed the effectiveness and safety of a denosumab biosimilar, QL1206 (60 mg), in comparison to a placebo among postmenopausal Chinese women suffering from osteoporosis and an elevated likelihood of fractures.⁹¹ The findings indicated that QL1206 significantly enhanced the bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine, total hip, femoral neck, and trochanter relative to the placebo, while also facilitating the rapid decline in the indicators of bone turnover.⁹¹ Continued investigation into the creation of targeted ligands and nanocarriers may increase the potential for osteoporosis-targeted treatments to be used in clinical settings.⁹²

In women with osteoporosis with an elevated likelihood of fracture, weekly injections of teriparatide, followed by alendronate, led to substantially lower incidence of morphometric vertebral fractures than alendronate monotherapy.⁹³ A regimen of monthly subcutaneous romosozumab at 210 mg for 12 months, then by 24 months of open-label weekly oral alendronate at 70 mg (romosozumab-to-alendronate), substantially lowered the fracture risk relative to 36 months of alendronate treatment alone in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and before fracture.⁹⁴

Treatments aimed at altering gut microbiota, like the use of probiotics or antibiotics, are shown to influence bone remodeling.^95,96 Lyu⁹⁵ investigated the effectiveness of probiotics as a treatment strategy for osteoporosis. The findings may aid in the creation of novel therapies aimed at the gut microbiota for managing osteoporosis. Natural products made from a wide range of food ingredients and medicinal plants have been shown in previous studies to modulate programmed cell death through various mechanisms. These products have great potential for osteoporosis prevention and treatment, demonstrating the rise of more widely accepted complementary and alternative medicines that are less expensive, have fewer adverse effects, and work for longer.⁹⁷ In the academic field, mesenchymal stem cell-derived EVs are emerging as promising therapeutic approaches for osteoporosis, and engineered strategies can enhance their therapeutic effects.⁹⁸ Several clinical trials and epidemiological research indicate that supplementing with zinc (Zn), magnesium (Mg), fluoride (F), and strontium (Sr)may enhance bone quality and possibly lower the risk of developing osteoporosis.⁹⁹

According to a number of studies, antioxidants may be incorporated into innovative treatment methods to improve avenues for managing and preventing osteoporosis and bone diseases associated with oxidative stress.⁶⁷ Specifically, compounds like anthocyanins, resveratrol, lycopene, oleuropein, some vitamins, and thiol antioxidants may be efficacious against osteoporosis.⁶⁷ By increasing PDLF and the activity of osteoblasts, inhibiting osteoclast participation, increasing chondrocyte production in the cartilage matrix, and reducing the degradation of connective tissue, ginsenosides may provide positive effects.¹⁰⁰ Preclinical research employing animal models has shown their effectiveness in boosting bone density, reducing the symptoms of osteoarthritis, and improving periodontitis.¹⁰⁰

Strengths and Limitations

Accurate diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis are crucial for global research and clinical practice. Employing CiteSpace analysis offers a more effective means of identifying research priorities and trends than conventional review methods.

However, it also presents specific limitations. CiteSpace cannot fully substitute for system retrieval. Firstly, the literature data gathered is incongruent, undermining the reliability of the atlas visualization. Secondly, differences in the volume of articles included and the retrieval outcomes could result from different data updates. Nonetheless, literature analysis through visualization offers significant benefits by enhancing comprehension of the most authoritative works within the research field, and it can also lay the groundwork for future studies.

Conclusion

This study used CiteSpace and VOSviewer software to visualize and bibliometrically analyze 10,343 publications on osteoporosis. The increasing number of publications each year suggests growing interest and significant research potential in this field. China and the United States have been the primary contributors in this field of research; however, it is essential to strengthen collaborations among various countries, regions, and institutions to collectively advance development and progress in this area. The central focus of the study has been to address the prevention of osteoporosis, as well as accurate diagnosis and treatment.