Global Trends and Research Hotspots in Simplified Medication Regimens: A Bibliometric Analysis (Preprint)

BACKGROUND Simplified medication regimens improve adherence and reduce errors, especially in aging populations with multimorbidity. Despite growing interest, a comprehensive analysis of research trends and collaborations remains lacking. OBJECTIVE To identify research hotspots and trends in simplified medication regimen and inform strategies for effective medication regimens management. METHODS A bibliometric analysis was conducted to characterize the research landscape of simplified medication regimens. Literature from the Web of Science Core Collection (January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2024) was analyzed using VOSviewer and CiteSpace to assess publication trends, key countries and institutions, citations, keywords, and emerging terms. SPSS and R were used for curve fitting, correlation analysis, and calculating metrics. This analysis aims to map the field and inform future research. RESULTS A total of 440 publications were included. Annual publications on simplified medication regimens showed an upward trend, with the U.S. leading in volume. High-frequency keywords included efficacy, medication adherence, simplification, and risk. Ten keyword clusters were identified, showing a progression from early exploration to expansion and clinical application. CONCLUSIONS Research on simplified medication regimens has increased over time, but institutional and international collaboration remains limited. Major research hotspots include the association between simplified medication regimens and specific diseases, as well as factors influencing regimen simplification. Emerging trends emphasize the importance of structured management of simplified regimens and the development of implementation strategies. Future research should focus on the sustained impact of simplified medication regimens.