BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is one of the common diseases associated with job loss and disability. However, the existing diagnosis and treatment methods are limited by factors such as misdiagnosis, missed diagnosis, and toxic side effects. In recent years, remarkable progress has been made in applying nanomedicine for RA treatment. However, previous studies lack a systematic and comprehensive analysis of the development trajectory of nanomaterials in the diagnosis and treatment of RA, the contributions of key researchers, and the evolution of research focuses. This study aims to fill this gap by providing a detailed bibliometric analysis of the global research landscape on nanomaterial applications in RA diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the significance of this field in advancing therapeutic interventions and identifying future research directions. METHODS: Relevant literature on the application of nanomaterials in RA treatment was searched in the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from January 1, 1985 to December 31, 2023. VOSviewer, CiteSpace, “bibliometrix” R-package, and Microsoft Office Excel 2021 were used for bibliometric analysis to evaluate the number of publications, research hotspots, main researchers, and institutions. RESULTS: A total of 524 articles were included, involving 33 countries or regions, 784 institutions, and 2751 authors, covering 19 disciplines, including biochemistry and molecular biology, chemistry, engineering, immunology, and materials science. Countries with the highest publication output were China, India, and the United States, with China and the United States having the closest cooperation. The University of California at San Diego and CHEN X were the most influential institutions and authors. Journal of Controlled Release had the highest publication output and emerged as the most influential journal in the field. In recent years, research hotspots of nanomaterials in RA included “dexamethasone”, “micelle”, and “diagnosis”. CONCLUSION: This study is the first comprehensive bibliometric analysis of nanotechnology in RA application. It highlights the importance of nanomaterials in advancing RA diagnosis and treatment and provides a valuable reference for future research. By identifying key research trends, influential contributors, and emerging hotspots, this analysis offers actionable insights for researchers to build upon, ultimately driving innovation and improving therapeutic outcomes in the field of nanomedicine for RA.