Abstract:

Objective: To analyze the research hotspots and trend in silicosis fibrosis, providing a data-driven foundation for future research directions and strategies. Methods: The Web of Science (WoS) Core Collection was used as the primary database to retrieve literature from 2000—2025. Given the high disease burden of silicosis in China, the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) was used to supplement the search with Chinese literature from the same period. CiteSpace 6.4.R1 (2023), VOSviewer 1.6.20 (2023), Pajek 6.01 (2025), and Charticulator 1.4.0 (2021) were used to conduct visual analysis of the publications, authors, countries, journals, and keywords of the included literature. Results: A total of 2005 articles were included (WoS: 961; CNKI: 1044). Global publications increased steadily from 2000—2014, followed by rapid growth in 2015, peaking in 2023. China contributed the most publications (539 articles, 56.09%). Research primarily focused on Toxicology and Pharmacology & Pharmacy, with collaborative networks centered on authors including, Chen Jie, Ni Chunhui, Tian Lin, Chen Weihong, Yao Sanqiao, Chao Jie, Wang Jing, Liu Heliang, Yang Fang, Xu Hong, Hao Changfu, Yao Wu, Ye Qiao, and Jia Qiang. Nanjing Medical University was the most cited institution, with a total of 1753 citations. North China University of Science and Technology was identified as the most prolific institution in both domestic and international databases (234 and 71 articles, respectively). The literature was mainly published in Chinese Journal of Occupational Medicine, Chinese Journal of Industrial Hygiene and Occupational Diseases, and Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety. Keyword co-occurrence analysis revealed that research focused on silicosis, inflammation, and pulmonary fibrosis. Early studies (2000—2010) emphasized disease definition and exposure association. The middle stage (2011—2018) explored inflammation, apoptosis, and molecular mechanisms. Recent studies (2019—present) shifted to ferroptosis. TNF (Tumor Necrosis Factor), CT (Computed Tomography), and NLRP3 Inflammasome were burst keywords. Conclusion: The research hotspots and trends in silicosis fibrosis showed a clear temporal evolution, presenting a shift from exposure factor identification to immunomodulation and signaling pathways, and then to the study of multi-factor interaction mechanisms.

Key words: Silicosis, Fibrosis, Bibliometrics, Visualization