Comorbidity of Pulmonary Fibrosis and COPD/Emphysema: Research Status, Trends, and Future Directions --------- A Bibliometric Analysis from 2004 to 2023

Int J Chron Obstruct Pulmon Dis. 2023 Sep 12:18:2009-2026. doi: 10.2147/COPD.S426763. eCollection 2023.

Abstract

Objective: The comorbidity of pulmonary fibrosis and COPD/emphysema has garnered increasing attention. However, no bibliometric analysis of this comorbidity has been conducted thus far. This study aims to perform a bibliometric analysis to explore the current status and cutting-edge trends in the field, and to establish new directions for future research.

Methods: Statistical computing, graphics, and data visualization tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Biblimatrix, and WPS Office were employed.

Results: We identified a total of 1827 original articles and reviews on the comorbidity of pulmonary fibrosis and COPD/emphysema published between 2004 and 2023. There was an observed increasing trend in publications related to this comorbidity. The United States, Japan, and the United Kingdom were the countries with the highest contributions. Professor Athol Wells and the University of Groningen had the highest h-index and the most articles, respectively. Through cluster analysis of co-cited documents, we identified the top 17 major clusters. Keyword analysis predicted that NF-κB, oxidative stress, physical activity, and air pollution might be hot spots in this field in the future.

Conclusion: This bibliometric analysis demonstrates a continuous increasing trend in literature related to the comorbidity of pulmonary fibrosis and COPD/emphysema. The research hotspots and trends identified in this study provide a reference for in-depth research in this field, aiming to promote the development of the comorbidity of pulmonary fibrosis and COPD/emphysema.

Keywords: COPD; CiteSpace; VOSviewer; bibliometric analysis; pulmonary fibrosis.

MeSH terms

  • Comorbidity
  • Emphysema*
  • Humans
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / epidemiology
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive* / therapy
  • Pulmonary Emphysema*
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis* / diagnosis
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis* / epidemiology

Grants and funding

This study is supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China Project: Research on the Repair Mechanism of Respiratory Injury in COPD Mice by Traditional Chinese Medicine for Strengthening the Body, Strengthening the Health, and Regulating the Skin and Hair of the Lung (82074367); National Natural Science Foundation Project: Effect of Bufei Granule on Improving the Condition of Airway Inflammation-Mucous Hyperplasia in COPD by Controlling miRNA-TLR4 Signaling Network (81703858).