YouTube as a source of information on systemic sclerosis.

AIM: YouTube is a popular online platform which patients and healthcare professionals often use to obtain information. However, the reliability and quality of videos on systemic sclerosis are not known.

METHOD: We searched for the key words "systemic sclerosis" and "scleroderma" on YouTube. Features of videos such as the number of views and duration of videos were noted. The reliability and quality of videos were assessed with the modified DISCERN and Global Quality Scale (GQS), respectively. The videos were divided into three categories: useful, misleading and patient experiences. The videos were assessed according to these categories and their quality.

RESULTS

A total of 200 videos listed by relevance were screened and 115 videos which met the inclusion criteria were analyzed further. Eighty-four (73%) of the 115 videos were useful, 20 (17.4%) were misleading, and 11 (9.6%) were patients' experiences. Useful videos had higher DISCERN and GQS scores compared to misleading videos and videos that contain patient experiences (P < 0.001). High-quality videos were mostly uploaded by academic institutions/professional organizations or physicians.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of YouTube videos have useful information on scleroderma and are important educational sources for both patients and physicians. However, patients in particular should be aware that videos might include advertisements and misleading information.