Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2021, Vol. 25 ›› Issue (20): 3178-3184.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.2095-4344.3215

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Knowledge mapping analysis on the international research of diabetic foot: a visual analysis based on CiteSpace

Li Wenhui1, Liu Guobin2   

  1. 1Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China; 2Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
  • Received:2020-04-22 Revised:2020-04-26 Accepted:2020-10-09 Online:2021-07-18 Published:2021-01-15
  • Contact: Liu Guobin, MD, Chief physician, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
  • About author:Li Wenhui, MD, Lecturer, Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences, Shanghai 201318, China
  • Supported by:
    the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Project), No. 81804096 (to LWH)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: With the increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus in the world, diabetic foot, an important complication, has attracted increasing attentions. Relevant research literature has been gradually increased for bibliometric analysis. 
OBJECTIVE: To measure and visually analyze the research literature regarding diabetic foot in the past 10 years using CiteSpace V software, and to explore the research status, subjects and global development trend in this field, so as to provide reference for researchers in the field of diabetic foot.
METHODS: The Web of Science database was searched for diabetic foot-related literature published from 2010 to 2019. Literature information such as the amount of papers issued, the number of citations and highly cited literature were counted. All the data were exported, and analyzed using CiteSpace V software with regard to research subjects, research hotspots and frontiers.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A total of 6 811 articles were included in the study, and the number of articles published and cited in this field increased steadily in the past 10 years. Relevant journals mainly focus on wound repair or nursing, such as JOURNAL OF WOUND CARE, in which, 188 relevant articles have been issued. The top 10 journals have an average impact factor of 2. Highly cited literatures mainly address relevant diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines and introduce new materials for promoting healing. The United States ranks first with 1 930 articles and 29 186 citations, followed by the United Kingdom and China. Based on a comprehensive analysis of average number and proportion of citations, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States have publications of higher quality in this field. Among the top 20 research institutions, Manchester University, University of Washington, and University of Arizona rank top 3. Shanghai Jiao Tong University has the largest number of papers in China, while Southwest Hospital of Third Military Medical University and Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing University have established good international cooperation relations. The visual clustering of 14 key words shows that amputation, Charcot’s foot and nephrosis are the main concerns of the academic community, indicating that great attention should be paid to the prognosis and quality of life, followed by stem cell therapy and biofilm. It is suggested that basic and clinical research on diabetic foot shows vigorous vitality in this field. The research timeline has shown that the research focus has changed from treatment to quality of life, prevention and health care. Burst hotspot analysis shows that in vitro experiment, cell therapy and biofilm are the research frontiers in this field. To conclude, future research on diabetic foot should underline the following aspects: firstly, increase prevention efforts and reduce incidence rate; secondly, reduce amputation rate and improve quality of life; and thirdly, strengthen interdisciplinary integration and construct regional treatment network.

Key words: diabetic foot, bibliometric analysis, CiteSpace, visualization, amputation, stem cell therapy, biofilm

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