Visual analysis of the literature on postmenopausal osteoporosis-related hormone research: Current status and future trends (2004–2024)

Background: Postmenopausal osteoporosis (PMOP) is a metabolic bone disease characterized by decreased bone mass and deteriorated bone microstructure. Despite advancements in hormone-related PMOP research, a systematic bibliometric analysis in this domain remains absent. Objective: This study employs bibliometric methods to delineate global trends, key contributors, and research hotspots in PMOP-related hormone studies (2004–2024), providing evidence-based guidance for future investigations. Study design: A comprehensive analysis was conducted using 2004 to 2024 literature systematically retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, focusing on PMOP-hormone interactions. Methods: CiteSpace (6.3.R1) facilitated multidimensional analyses of countries, institutions, authors, journals, co-cited references, and keywords. Network optimization utilized g -index ( k = 25) node filtering and the PathFinder algorithm for structural refinement. Results: Among 7174 analyzed publications, China and the United States dominated research output (46.94% combined). Leading institutions included the University of California System and Harvard University, with Osteoporosis International as the most active journal. Keyword clustering revealed emerging hotspots: oxidative stress (cluster #0), vitamin D deficiency, and romosozumab, demonstrating the centrality of estrogen receptor-related studies. Conclusion: This pioneering bibliometric study establishes a knowledge mapping framework for PMOP-hormone research, elucidating multidimensional associations between hormonal regulation and bone metabolism. Findings underscore oxidative stress-hormone axis modulation and romosozumab-targeted therapies as critical frontiers, while emphasizing the imperative for enhanced interdisciplinary collaboration to advance therapeutic innovation.