World-wide architecture of osteoporosis research: density-equalizing mapping studies and gender analysis

<b>Objective:</b> While research activities on osteoporosis grow constantly, no concise description of the global research architecture exists. Hence, we aim to analyze and depict the world-wide scientific output on osteoporosis combining bibliometric tools, density-equalizing mapping projections and gender analysis. <b>Method:</b> Using the NewQIS platform, we analyzed all osteoporosis-related publications authored from 1900 to 2012 and indexed by the Web of Science. Bibliometric details were analyzed related to quantitative and semi-qualitative aspects. <b>Results:</b> The majority of 57 453 identified publications were original research articles. The USA and Western Europe dominated the field regarding cooperation activity, publication and citation performance. Asia, Africa and South America played a minimal role. Gender analysis revealed a dominance of male scientists in almost all countries except Brazil. <b>Conclusion:</b> Although the scientific performance on osteoporosis is increasing world-wide, a significant disparity in terms of research output was visible between developed and low-income countries. This finding is particularly concerning since epidemiologic evaluations of future osteoporosis prevalences predict enormous challenges for the health-care systems in low-resource countries. Hence, our study underscores the need to address these disparities by fostering future research endeavors in these nations with the aim to successfully prevent a growing global burden related to osteoporosis.

<b>研究目标：</b>尽管骨质疏松症相关研究活动持续增长，但目前尚无针对全球骨质疏松症研究架构的精准概述。为此，本研究拟结合文献计量工具（bibliometric tools）、密度均衡映射投影法（density-equalizing mapping projections）与性别分析方法，对全球范围内的骨质疏松症科学研究成果进行系统分析与可视化呈现。<b>研究方法：</b>依托NewQIS平台（NewQIS platform），本研究对1900年至2012年间发表且被Web of Science（Web of Science）收录的所有骨质疏松症相关文献进行分析，从定量与半定性维度对文献计量特征展开研究。<b>研究结果：</b>本次研究共检索得到57453篇相关文献，其中绝大多数为原创研究论文。在合作活动、发文规模与引用表现层面，美国与西欧地区占据绝对主导地位；亚洲、非洲及南美洲的贡献占比极低。性别分析结果显示，除巴西外，全球几乎所有国家的骨质疏松研究领域均以男性科研人员为主体。<b>研究结论：</b>尽管全球骨质疏松症领域的科研产出持续增长，但发达国家与低收入国家之间仍存在显著的研究成果差距。这一发现尤为值得警惕，因为针对未来骨质疏松症患病率的流行病学评估预测，低资源国家的医疗保障系统将面临极为严峻的挑战。据此，本研究强调亟需通过推动上述欠发达国家的未来研究工作，以有效遏制骨质疏松相关全球疾病负担的持续攀升。