Association between gut microbiota and osteoporosis from 2012 to 2023: Bibliometric analysis and global trends

Abstract Background Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic systemic metabolic bone disease. As the population ages, the prevalence of OP is gradually increasing, making it one of the significant public health problems worldwide. The gut microbiota (GM) is a complex microbial ecosystem that can affect bone metabolism through multiple pathways. Therefore, understanding the potential pathogenesis of the GM is crucial for preventing and treating OP. Methods We conducted a literature search encompassing English-language studies on the relationship between GM and OP published from 2012 to 2023 in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database. We employed bibliometric analysis tools, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, Scimago Graphica, and R Studio, to analyze global trends and research hotspots. Results We analyzed 647 eligible publications, comprising 426 articles and 221 reviews. Over the past 11 years, there has been a consistent exponential growth in the number of articles addressing GM and OP. The top three contributing countries (China, USA, and Japan) collectively accounted for 75.53% of all published articles. Chinese scholars have demonstrated remarkable academic productivity in this field, while American scholars have exhibited substantial academic impact. Furthermore, the University of Gothenburg emerged as the institution with the most significant number of papers related to the GM and OP relationship (n = 16), and the University of Pennsylvania boasted the highest average citation rate (value = 64.56). Among authors, Narayanan Parameswaran and Laura R. McCabe from the USA stood out for having the highest number of publications and the highest average citation value, respectively. Future research directions can be classified into five primary categories: "GM and OP," "immune regulation," "endocrine signaling factors," "GM metabolites," "brain-gut-bone," and "intestinal mucosal barrier." Conclusion Recent years have witnessed substantial progress in research on the role of the GM in OP. A comprehensive review of the published literature underscores the pivotal role of the GM in the pathogenesis and treatment of OP.