Global research landscape of two-drug regimens for HIV treatment: a visual bibliometric analysis

With the advancement of antiretroviral therapy, two-drug regimens have emerged as a viable and promising strategy for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and management, offering potential advantages in safety, treatment adherence, and cost-effectiveness. Although scholarly interest in this field is growing, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis remains lacking; accordingly, this study aimed to map the research landscape, identify emerging trends, and explore collaborative networks in the field of two-drug HIV treatment regimens. To this end, studies on two-drug HIV treatment regimens were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection. After screening and deduplication, key bibliometric data were extracted. Subsequent analyses were performed using the Bibliometrix R-package and VOSviewer to visualize annual publication output, geographical distribution, institutional collaborations, journal influence, author networks, and keyword evolution trends. Ultimately, 3,262 publications were included, with an annual growth rate of 9.23%. The United States was the most productive country (974 publications, 29.9%), while Harvard University topped institutional rankings (430 publications). AIDS was the leading journal (199 publications), and core authors (e.g., Carr A) contributed substantially. Keyword analysis revealed that two-drug regimens are transitioning from "alternative options" to "mainstream choices" in HIV treatment, with their development reflecting a focus on balancing efficacy and safety, as well as aligning technological innovation with clinical demands. This bibliometric study delineates the evolving landscape of two-drug HIV treatment research, with North America and Europe making prominent contributions. It highlights key research foci and collaboration patterns, providing valuable insights for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers to prioritize future research and optimize HIV treatment strategies.