Depicting Developing Trend and Core Knowledge of Hip Fracture Research: A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis

Abstract

Background: Among all osteoporotic fractures, hip fracture is common, carries high morbidity and mortality, thus has been becoming a vital concern We aim to analyze the present status and worldwide trends of hip fracture research in various clinical aspects. Methods: Publications from 2000 to 2019 were retrieved from Web of Science database and analyzed through bibliometric methodology. The software VOS viewer was utilized for visualized analysis. Results: Totally, 6139 publications were included, and publications increased annually, from 152 (2000) to 592 (2019). The USA has made huge contributions with the most publications, the highest H-index, and citations. Osteoporosis International has published the most papers. Leading researchers, contributing institutions, their cooperation relationships and scientific masterpieces have been identified. Research could be divided into five clusters: "mortality", "surgical management", “rehabilitation”, “osteoporosis” and "epidemiology". A clear developing trend was described, which initiated from fracture epidemiology and prevention, transitioned to perioperative management, orthogeriatric care and patient safety, and then to functional recovery, disease burden along with national audit and initiatives in recent time. Conclusions: Hip fractures resulted in conditions that extend far beyond orthopaedics, concerning epidemiology & preventive medicine, internal medicine & endocrinology , as well as critical care and gerontology. And a growing volume of publications in the future could be expected.