Scientific Bibliometric and Visual Analysis of Studies on Autophagy in Intervertebral Disc Degeneration Based on Web of Science

Abstract

To analyze the current research trends and potential mechanisms related to the role of autophagy in intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) and to provide new ideas for future research in this field. All publications on IVDD and autophagy were retrieved and extracted from the Web of Science (WOS) core collection database. The results were evaluated and visualized using the bibliometric website, Citespace and VOSviewer software, including annual publications, countries, institutions, authors, journals, research areas, funding agencies, citations and keywords. From January 1, 2011 to December 31, 2022, a total of 323 reviews and original articles were included, and the overall trend in the number of publications was growing rapidly. China and the United States were the countries with the most scientific research achievements in the world. The 323 publications got a total number citations of 6949, with an H-index of 43 and an average citations of 21.51. The top publication countries, institutions, authors, journals, research areas and funding agencies were China, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Tongji Medical College Cao Yang, Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, cell biology, National Natural Science Foundation of China, respectively. Most of the keywords were associated with the mechanisms and regulatory networks of autophagy. In addition, with increasing evidence demonstrated the key role of autophagy in IVDD, therapy, signaling pathway, and mitophagy are emerging as new research hotspots that should be paid more attention to. This study provided a scientific perspective on autophagy in IVDD and elucidated the current research status and hotspots in this field. The mechanism of autophagy and the application of regulating autophagy in the treatment of IVDD deserve further research.