Assessment of internet-based information on statin therapy.

Kwan, J.Y.; Stocco F.; Scott D.J.A.; Bailey M.A.; Coughlin P.A.

Assessment of internet-based information on statin therapy.

All Authors

Kwan, J.Y.

Stocco F.

Scott D.J.A.

Bailey M.A.

Coughlin P.A.

LTHT Author

Kwan, Jing Yi
Stocco, Fabio
Scott, Julian
Bailey, Marc
Coughlin, Patrick

LTHT Department

Leeds Vascular Institute
General Surgery
Vascular Surgery

Publication Date

2024

Item Type

Article

Abstract

Aims The use of statin therapy is deemed to be controversial by mainstream media. Patients increasingly source medical information from the internet, and the use of statins is no exception. This study aims to determine the quality and educational content of statin-focused information on the internet and YouTube. Methods 'Statin' was searched on Google, Yahoo!, Bing, and YouTube. The first 50 results obtained from each search engine and the and results first 20 YouTube videos were screened by two assessors. Websites were assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease (FRE) score, University of Michigan Consumer Health Website Evaluation Checklist, and a customized scoring system evaluating statin-focused content for quality. Videos were scored using the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) benchmark criteria, Global Quality Score (GQS), and the customized scoring system. Websites scored a median FRE score of 57.5 [interquartile range (IQR) 52.1-62.3], median Michigan score of 36 (IQR 32-41.5), and median content score of 5 (IQR 3.75-7). Good interobserver agreement was demonstrated [Michigan score interobserver coefficient correlation (ICC) = 0.968; content score ICC = 0.944]. Videos scored a median JAMA score of 2, median GQS score of 2.5, and median content score of 2.5. Good interobserver agreement was demonstrated (JAMA ICC = 0.746; GQS ICC = 0.874; content score ICC = 0.946). Conclusion Quality and readability of statin-focused online information are poor. Healthcare professionals should be aware of the limitations of the current available sources and design online resources that are accurate and patient-friendly.