From stigma to science: The association of terminology shifts with fentanyl-related research focus and collaboration.

OBJECTIVE: Terminology used in scientific literature is associated with resource allocation, research prioritization, and public perception. The aim of this study is to describe how research on fentanyl is associated with a change in terminology used to refer to its use.

DESIGN: The study utilized bibliometric analysis of 11,982 publications from 2000 to 2023 from Web of Science using the topic search terms "Fentanyl" and "Humans." These articles were then analyzed via VOSViewer and Microsoft Excel.® Results: Publications adopting nonstigmatizing terminology were more frequently connected to research on substance use treatment, rehabilitation, and medication-assisted treatments (methadone, naltrexone, buprenorphine). The adaptation demonstrated greater connections to these medications, methadone, naltrexone, and buprenorphine, and reflects an emerging focus on fentanyl-specialized addiction medicine.

CONCLUSIONS: Older publications frequently utilized stigmatizing terminology and lacked a coherent research direction. Conversely, recent adoption of nonstigmatizing language coincides with increased research output focusing on treatment, emergency overdose management, epidemiology, and public health. Notably, the adoption of nonstigmatized terms coincides with increased publications and a new focus on fentanyl-related research.