Bibliometric Analysis of Research Trends and Hotspots Intersecting Quality of Life and Sarcopenia

Sarcopenia, characterized by age-related muscle loss, poses a substantial public health challenge considering the aging global population. Studies on the quality of life (QOL) related to sarcopenia have gained increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to offer a comprehensive and scholarly analysis of the research pertaining to sarcopenia and its effects on QOL. A systematic search was carried out, covering the period from 1997 to 2023, in the Web of Science Core Collection to identify relevant articles. A total of 1,899 articles were extracted and analyzed, comprised of contributions from 82 countries, 3,012 research institutes, and 727 scholarly journals. Advanced bibliometric tools were employed to unravel intricate research patterns and themes. Visual analysis explored the co-occurrence of institutions, countries, and authors. Additionally, a comprehensive co-citation analysis was conducted to ascertain intellectual structure and knowledge dissemination. Keyword analyses revealed the primary research directions, elucidating clusters encompassing skeletal muscle, muscle strength, aging, and other related areas, thereby highlighting research hotspots. Furthermore, the identification of burst keywords discerned trending topics and areas of enquiry, including sarcopenia, QOL, skeletal muscle, Asian working groups, depression, bone, and fatigue. The findings underscore the escalating scholarly interest and advancement in sarcopenia QOL research. These outcomes signify a global collaborative effort among researchers and institutions to understand the impact of sarcopenia on the overall well-being of individuals. Importantly, this study emphasizes the imperative to overcome the prevailing academic barriers to interdisciplinary collaboration and further advance sarcopenia QOL research.