Knowledge mapping of Cushing syndrome: A bibliometric analysis from 2000 to 2023

Cushing syndrome (CS) is an endocrine disorder primarily caused by cortisol overproduction, resulting in a range of clinical manifestations. Although recent studies have advanced the understanding and treatment of CS, no comprehensive bibliometric analysis has yet mapped the development and trends in this field. This study aimed to provide a detailed overview of the knowledge landscape, research output, and emerging hotspots in CS research using bibliometric methods.

A bibliometric analysis was conducted using publications on CS indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection from January 2000 to October 2023. VOSviewers, CiteSpace, and the R package bibliometrix were used to analyze publication outputs, author collaborations, institutional and country-level contributions, journal impact, co-citation networks, and keyword trends.

The volume of CS-related publications has shown a steady annual increase. A total of 4661 articles were published across 86 countries. The United States produced the highest number of publications, while the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development ranked as the most active institution. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism was the leading source both in terms of publication count and co-cited frequency. The 19,621 contributing authors included several high-output researchers, notably Constantine A Stratakis, Martin Reincke, Jerome Bertherat, Susan M. Webb, and Felix Beuschlein. Keywords analysis identified "11β-hydroxylase inhibitors" and "somatic mutation" as prominent emerging topics.

This bibliometric study presents the first comprehensive mapping of global CS research over the past 2 decades. It identifies influential contributors, collaborative networks, and thematic developments, offering a structured reference for future research planning and scholarly engagement in the field of CS.