Research trends and hotspots of Health-Related Quality of Life: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2000 to 2019

Abstract

Purpose To analyze the global scientific output of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) research and figure out general trends and hotspots in HRQoL. Methods HRQoL research articles were collected from the Web of Science (WOS) database between 2000 and 2019. A bibliometric analysis was performed based on the number of articles, citations, published journals, authors' address and keywords. Descriptive analysis, visualization of geographic distribution and keyword clustering analysis were applied to the collected data. Results The annual number of articles showed a growth over the past twenty years, but the annual TA (Total Citations) and annual CPA (Citations Per Article) were both in decreasing trends. Articles about HRQoL were more likely to be published in journals of multi-subject categories, The HRQoL research was mainly distributed across North America and Europe throughout the twenty years and ushered in a vigorous development worldwide after 2015. Research institutions with high productivity in HRQoL research were more inclined to collaborate, but the cooperation strength between domestic institutions was much greater than that between international institutions. There were a large number of author keywords were only used once or twice during 2000 to 2019. SF-36, EQ-5D, depression, obesity, disability, oncology, fatigue were identified as hot research areas. Also, dementia, HIV, chronic disease, OHRQoL, PRO, stress, well-being, the elderly, women and children may become new hotspots in future research. Conclusion This study provided an overall perspective on global research trends and hotspots in HRQoL research, as well as a potential guide for future research. Researchers need to strengthen international cooperation, as well as pay more attention to the standardization and unity of keywords in future study.

Health economics agenda in the 21st century - Analysis of research publication trends in health economics from 2000 to 2020

“…2,3 This kind of analysis enables not only broad insight, but can further describe trends useful in critical analysis of the research field. 4,5 Previous analysis of the field of health economics reported very favourable patterns, and suggested likely pathways of development, published in the January of 2016. 6 However, the situation seems to have changed.…”