Emerging insights and global trends in the relationship between selenium and thyroid diseases: A bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Objective: Selenium, a significant trace element needed by the human body, is closely related to thyroid. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the status of selenium and thyroid diseases, analyze emerging insights, and predict future trends. Methods: Literature on selenium and thyroid included in the core database of Web of Science from January 1992 to October 2022 was retrieved. CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were used for visual analysis in terms of publication, author, country, institution, co-citation, and keywords. Results: A total of 1,142 works of literature were included after the screening, and the annual publication showed a fluctuating upward trend. The country and the institution with the highest publication volume were the United States and Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, respectively. In terms of authors, Schomburg L has formed a cooperative network and has published the largest number of papers and made great contributions in this field. The biggest cluster of keywords was trace elements, and the hot keywords in recent years were oxidative stress, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, cadmium, copper, etc. Conclusion: This paper analyzes the current status, insights, and trends of the studies on selenium and thyroid diseases by the method of bibliometrics and delivers ideas and methods for subsequent research in this field. The therapeutic effect of selenium on Hashimoto's thyroiditis is controversial and needs further research, and oxidative stress is also a research hotspot in this field. The cross-study of multiple trace elements and diseases may be the development trend in the future.