Objective To analyze and summarize the research status, hotspots, and development trends in the field of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). Methods The AECOPD-related literature from 2013 to 2023 was retrieved from the China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Web of Science. Based on bibliometric methods, CiteSpace 6.2.R2 and Excel software were used to analyze the journals, authors, institutions, and keywords of AECOPD-related Chinese and English literature. Results Finally, 802 Chinese literature and 3478 English literature were included. The number of Chinese studies on AECOPD had shown a relatively stable trend in the past decade. The number of English studies on AECOPD showed a fluctuating upward trend, reaching its peak in 2021 and then slightly decreasing. The overall number of studies showed a fluctuating upward trend. Compared to Chinese literature authors, English literature authors collaborated more closely. Prior to 2017, Chinese literature mainly focused on the inflammatory mechanisms, bacterial infections, and antibiotic treatment of AECOPD. From 2017 to 2023, attention had been paid to bacterial resistance, traditional Chinese medicine syndrome types, influencing factors, and prognostic nursing. The pathogenesis of inflammation continued to be closely monitored, while also paying attention to oxidative stress mechanisms. The English literature from 2013 to 2018 mainly focused on the clinical outcomes, clinical trials, pathological studies, and antibiotic treatment of AECOPD, with a particular emphasis on its comorbidities with cardiovascular diseases such as myocardial infarction. From 2019 to 2023, the main focus was on the global burden and medical insurance utilization of AECOPD, as well as its pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on micro level research on the lung microbiome and cell related aspects. Conclusion At present, the publication volume of AECOPD topics is showing a fluctuating upward trend, the disciplinary fields are constantly expanding, and research hotspots are constantly moving forward, receiving widespread attention both domestically and internationally. The overall development trend of related research is good, and cooperation should be strengthened to conduct more in-depth research.
