Integrating Bibliometrics and Bioinformatics to Map Knowledge Structure and Trend Synthesis in Rheumatoid Arthritis...

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology
• Immunology
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder.
• Bone erosion is a significant complication of RA, leading to joint damage and disability.
• Understanding research trends is crucial for advancing therapeutic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze international research trends in rheumatoid arthritis and bone erosion from 2015-2024.
• To identify research hotspots, challenges, and collaboration dynamics.
• To inform future research directions and treatment strategies.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of 1,502 publications from the Web of Science database (2015-2024).
• Visualization using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Scimago Graphica.
• Gene target and pathway analysis (PPI, KEGG) for rheumatoid arthritis and bone erosion.

Main Results:

• Publication output increased until 2021, then declined; China and the US are top contributors, with China's share rising.
• Research focuses on imaging and mechanistic exploration, particularly inflammation-related factors and pathways.
• International collaboration is regionally clustered, with significant contributions from *Arthritis Research & Therapy*.

Conclusions:

• China's research output in rheumatoid arthritis and bone erosion is growing.
• International collaboration is regionally concentrated, indicating a need for broader global partnerships.
• Future research should integrate interdisciplinary approaches and foster global cooperation for precision medicine in RA and bone erosion.