What is the Frequency of Internet Searches by Patients with Rheumatic Diseases? To What Degree are the Websites They Get Information from Reliable and What is the Effect of These Websites on Their Treatment?
Journal Title: Istanbul Medical Journal - Year 2020, Vol 21, Issue 4
Abstract
Introduction: This study aimed to determine internet use among a certain number of patients with regard to the three prevalent rheumatic diseases in clinical practice and more importantly to evaluate the quality of information available on the internet using the DISCERN scoring system. Methods: The study population consists of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and fibromyalgia. As part of this study, we conducted a survey and recorded whether or not they researched over the internet concerning their diseases. After the survey, we also tested the reliability of the websites. We analysed websites using the DISCERN scoring system in order to determine to what degree these websites contained sufficient. Results: We found that 102 out of 173 cases (58.9%) used the internet to get information about their disease, while 71 cases (41.04%) did not conduct any internet research. According to the DISCERN scoring, the aforementioned websites were evaluated with 15 questions in the survey. Consequently, it was inferred that among these websites, 24 (27.2%) had high-level (4 to 5 points), 44 (50%) had medium-level (2 to 3 points) and 20 (22.7%) had poor-level (1 point) quality and reliability. Conclusion: The digital interest that has gradually increased in the recent years has become a concern as patients desire to have information on the course and treatment of their rheumatic diseases. It should be acknowledged that patients with long-term treatment and follow-up processes are not and will not be guided only by their doctors. Physicians may improve the quality of life of their patients and help them avoid unnecessary anxieties, if they regard the foregoing when they inform and instruct them.
Authors and Affiliations
Aysel Gürcan Atçı, Sena Tolu
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP685099
- DOI 10.4274/imj.galenos.2020.38243
- Views 119
- Downloads 0
Comparison of Long-Term Survival Rates of Primary Surgery and Surgery After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer
Introduction: To compare long-term survival of primary debulking surgery (PDS) and interval debulking surgery (IDS) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with advanced ovarian cancer. Methods: Patients who un...
Neurotoxoplasmosis in a Patient with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome: Magnetic Resonance and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Findings
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is an important public health problem. In recent years, opportunistic infections that can develop in patients with AIDS are rapid...
A Case of Sarcoidosis with Diffuse Cavitary Lesion in the Lung
Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown origin, which affects many organs and systems, and is often seen in young adults. The most common organ involved in sarcoidosis is the lung and various radiological featu...
Abdominal Wall Endometriosis: Analysis of 66 Patients at a Tertiary Center
Introduction: The objective of this study was to review the patients’ characteristics and surgical findings of surgically excised abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE) cases. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medica...
Lumbar Ligamentum Flavum Cyst: Case Report
Ligamentum flavum cyst, a cystic lesion adjacent to the lumbar spine, is a rare cause of neurological symptoms and signs. It is usually seen in older ages. It is more common in the lower lumbar region than in the cervica...