A Bibliometric Analysis of Global Research Trends in Elderly Population Diseases

The global population is undergoing rapid aging, resulting in a significant increase in scientific publications addressing diseases and health challenges in the elderly population.

A literature search for publications on diseases in the elderly population was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science Core Collection, and Embase from January 1, 2000, to January 1, 2024. Bibliometric and visualization analyses were performed using VOSviewer software.

A total of 16,862 publications were retrieved, with a notable increase in publication output after 2016. The United States led in both publication numbers (n = 6502, 38.56%) and citations (342,586), underscoring its substantial contribution to this field. Influential institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh and Karolinska Institute played key roles. Keywords analysis identified 631 meaningful topics, classified into five clusters, with research hotspots focusing on cardiovascular diseases, dementia, frailty, and quality of life. Emerging keywords in public health and nursing, such as "mild cognitive impairment," "multimorbidity," and "frailty," have been frequently highlighted in recent studies, indicating critical priorities for future research in elderly care.

This study provides a comprehensive bibliometric and visualization analysis of global research trends on diseases in the elderly population. It highlights key research areas and offers valuable insights to guide future directions in public health and nursing strategies, emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to address aging-related challenges.