Objective: To comprehensively examine global research developments in varicose vein treatment over the past decade by combining bibliometric analysis with an overview of clinical trial trends, highlighting shifts in therapeutic strategies and emerging priorities. Methods: A bibliometric assessment was carried out using the Web of Science Core Collection, focusing on English articles and reviews published between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2024. Tools such as VOSviewer, CiteSpace, and SciExplorer were used to analyze publication patterns, geographic and institutional contributions, author collaborations, co-citation networks, keyword co-occurrences, and emerging research themes. Additionally, a comprehensive review of 374 clinical trials from PubMed was performed to explore trends in study design, treatment modalities, and patient-reported outcomes across the same period. Results: A total of 3110 publications were identified, with the annual output showing substantial growth, peaking in 2021. The leading contributors were the United States, China, and the United Kingdom, with prominent institutions like Imperial College London and Mayo Clinic being notable contributors. The analysis of key journals revealed a strong presence of Phlebology and The Journal of Vascular Surgery. Keyword analysis highlighted ongoing interest in “endovenous laser ablation” and “compression therapy,” while emerging topics such as “pelvic congestion syndrome,” “cyanoacrylate closure,” and “patient-reported outcomes” are gaining attention. The clinical trial review showed a steady rise in studies, particularly between 2014 and 2024, with a notable peak around 2015. Randomized controlled trials dominated, focusing on minimally invasive techniques such as endovenous laser ablation, RFA, and tissue adhesives. Geographic distribution aligned with the bibliometric analysis, with dominant contributions from the United States, China, and Europe. The primary focus of these trials included efficacy, safety, recurrence, and patient-centered outcomes, with a growing emphasis on long-term effects and the use of innovative devices. Conclusion: Over the past decade, research on varicose vein treatment has seen substantial progress, driven by developments in minimally invasive technologies and a patient-focused approach. The combined bibliometric and clinical trial analyses highlight a continuing trend toward personalized, tech-enabled therapies. Integrating these insights will be crucial for guiding future research towards sustained efficacy and individualized care strategies.

Objective: While previous studies have explored the relationship between obesity and levels of thyroid autoantibodies, research using novel indicators such as weight-adjusted waist index (WWI) remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the potential relationship between WWI and thyroid autoantibody levels, with the objective of improving our understanding of the links between central obesity and Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT).Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) cycles from 2007 to 2012. We analyzed the relationship between WWI and levels of thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb) and thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) through multivariate linear regression and subgroup analyses.Results: The study included 7,056 participants with an average age of 49.71 ± 17.66 years, comprising 49.18% females. Mean WWI across the cohort was 11.04 ± 0.84. Analysis revealed a significant positive association between WWI and TPOAb levels (β: 4.78, 95% CI: 1.52, 8.05, p = 0.0041), which remained consistent across all multivariate linear regression models. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between WWI and TgAb levels after adjusting for covariates. Subgroup analysis stratified by gender demonstrated a notable gender-specific effect, where the positive correlation between WWI and TPOAb levels was evident only in females (β: 8.13, 95% CI: 4.14, 12.12, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: This study used WWI as a novel indicator of central obesity and identified a strong association with HT, particularly notable in females. However, further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore the underlying biological mechanisms.

Objective: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH) is a prevalent endocrine disorder associated with metabolic and cardiovascular risks. While physical activity (PA) is well recognized for its benefits on metabolic and cardiovascular health, its relationship with SCH remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the associations between different types, intensities, and frequencies of PA and SCH prevalence using nationally representative data from the U. S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).Methods: Data from the 2007–2012 NHANES cycles were analyzed. Weighted univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were employed to assess the associations between PA and SCH prevalence. Curve fitting and threshold effect analyses were conducted to explore potential non-linear relationships, while subgroup analyses examined effect modifications by demographic and clinical factors.Results: Among 6,133 participants included in the final analysis (approximately 20.15% of the total NHANES sample), the prevalence of SCH was 2.5%. Individuals without SCH exhibited significantly higher total PA duration, particularly in occupational physical activity (OPA), vigorous physical activity (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), MVPA intensity, and weekly frequency of vigorous occupational physical activity (VOPA). In the fully adjusted model, each 10-h/week increase in VPA and MVPA was associated with 33% (OR = 0.67, 95% CI: 0.49–0.91) and 11% (OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.81–0.98) lower odds of SCH, respectively. A 10% increase in MVPA intensity was linked to an 8% reduction (OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.87–0.97). Similar inverse associations were found for PA and OPA (PA: OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.82–0.98; OPA: OR = 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81–0.99). Among PA frequency measures, only VOPA frequency was significant, with each additional session per week associated with a 17% reduction in odds (OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.74–0.94). Curve fitting analysis revealed a non-linear relationship between MVPA intensity and SCH prevalence, with a threshold at 57.14%. Below this threshold, higher MVPA intensity was associated with lower SCH prevalence (p = 0.001), whereas above this threshold, the association became non-significant. Subgroup analyses identified a significant interaction with age, where the protective effects of PA and OPA were significant only in individuals aged <60 years.Conclusion: This study suggests that higher PA levels, particularly at greater intensities and frequencies, are associated with a lower prevalence of SCH, especially in individuals aged <60 years. These findings highlight the potential role of regular, high-intensity PA in reducing SCH risk.