A bibliometric analysis of the association between ultrasound and sarcopenia: Trends, networks, and future directions

OBJECTIVE: With the escalating global prevalence of sarcopenia, the demand for effective diagnostic tools is critical. While ultrasound shows promise as a noninvasive assessment method, a comprehensive analysis of its research landscape is limited. This study employs a bibliometric approach to objectively map the field, identify key contributors, and explore future research frontiers. METHODS: We systematically searched the Web of Science Core Collection for literature on ultrasound and sarcopenia published over the past 2 decades. Bibliometric software, including VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and R, was used to analyze publication trends, collaboration networks, and core research themes. Visualizations were generated to map research output across countries, institutions, journals, authors, and keywords. RESULTS: A total of 907 publications were included. Japan emerged as the most prolific country, and Hacettepe University as the leading research institution. Among individual researchers, Takashi Abe had the highest publication count. Regarding journals, Nutrients published the most literatures, while the Journal of Cachexia, Sarcopenia and Muscle led in publication volume, impact factor, h-index, and g-index. The most frequent keyword was "Sarcopenia," with "echo intensity" and "b-mode ultrasound" exhibiting the strongest burst intensity. Recent research hotspots have centered on topics such as "artificial intelligence," "disease-related malnutrition," "shear wave elastography," "nonalcoholic fatty liver disease," "phase angle," and more. CONCLUSIONS: This bibliometric study offers an objective overview of the research landscape concerning ultrasound and sarcopenia, revealing a rapidly expanding domain. By mapping the current field, this work aims to inform future research directions and address critical knowledge gaps.