Research status and trends of diabetic foot related osteomyelitis from 1994 to 2024: A 30-year bibliometric analysis.

BACKGROUND

Diabetic foot (DF) is an infectious condition with ulceration and destruction due to neurological and vascular issues. Osteomyelitis affects 10% to 15% of moderate and 50% of severe DF, often requiring surgery and long-term antibiotics. DF related osteomyelitis, resulting from non-healing ulcers, has a high amputation risk and originates from soft tissue infections spreading to bone. However, there are few bibliometric studies on DF and osteomyelitis. This research is to analyze literature on DF and osteomyelitis from 1994 to 2024, exploring research trends and frontiers.

METHODS

Literature relating to DF and osteomyelitis from 1994 to 2024 was retrieved from the database of web of science core collection. CiteSpace (v6.3.1) was used to analyze keywords, author information, institution/country information, cited journals and cited references. By constructing a map of co-word, co-citation and cooperation network, the relationship between various literatures was visually displayed, and a visual network map was provided to identify the research hotspots and trends in the field of DF and osteomyelitis.

RESULTS

A total of 2078 valid literatures were retrieved. 140 and 134 studies were published in 2022 and 2023, respectively, showing increased attention to this field. The most productive country and institution were the United States (726) and University of Washington (62), respectively. Aragon-sanchez, Javier (53) was the most productive author. The journal DIABETES CARE (1174) has published the most-cited journal in this field. Lipsky, BA et al [2020] article (143) was the most representative and symbolic reference.Top 25 keywords with the strongest citation bursts analysis indicates that conservative surgery, wound healing, lower extremity amputations have become research hotspots.

CONCLUSIONS

This study explores the research landscape and evolving trends in DF -related osteomyelitis over the last 30 years, offering valuable insights that could assist researchers in identifying important areas of focus.