Mapping the Research Landscape of Frailty: A 15-Year (2010-2025) Bibliometric Study on PubMed database

Background: Frailty, a multidimensional syndrome characterized by reduced physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to adverse outcomes, poses significant challenges to healthy aging worldwide. Despite growing interest in frailty research, a comprehensive bibliometric evaluation addressing its holistic dimensions remains lacking. This study aimed to map global research trends, key contributors, and emerging themes in frailty research from 2010 to 2025. Methods : A systematic bibliometric analysis was conducted using the PubMed database. The search strategy employed to capture relevant literature published between 2010 and January 2025. A total of 4,594 publications were identified, involving 24,087 authors across 1,109 journals. Parameters such as publication counts and top influential journals and corresponding author contributions were examined to provide a comprehensive overview of the field. Results: The analysis demonstrated a consistent increase in frailty-related publications over the 15-year period, with a remarkable surge between 2014 and 2016 marked by annual growth rates exceeding 44%. The number of publications peaked at 531 in 2021, followed by a brief decline in 2022 and 2023, and a subsequent resurgence in 2024 with 547 articles. Geographically, research output was dominated by developed regions, with Italy leading in overall productivity (3,612 publications), followed by significant contributions from the United States and Canada. The corresponding author analysis revealed that the United States contributed 11.8% of publications, Prominent institutions included the University of Toronto, and McMaster University Conclusion: This bibliometric study provides a detailed mapping of the global frailty research landscape, highlighting evolving trends, key contributors, and the shift towards multidimensional assessment frameworks.