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Pereira MP, Ziehfreund S, Rueth M, Ewering T, Legat FJ, Lambert J, Elberling J, Misery L, Brenaut E, Papadavid E, Garcovich S, Evers AWM, Halvorsen JA, Szepietowski JC, Reich A, Gonçalo M, Lvov A, Bobko S, Serra-Baldrich E, Wallengren J, Savk E, Leslie T, Ständer S, Zink A. Google search trends for itch in Europe: a retrospective longitudinal study. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2021; 35:1362-1370. [PMID: 33295009 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.17077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Itch is a common symptom in the general population. Affected individuals often do not seek medical consultation and rely on Internet searches to obtain information regarding their itch. OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to attain insights into common concerns of the general population regarding itch can by analysing itch-related Internet search behaviour. METHODS Google AdWords Keyword Planner was used to assess search volumes for itch-related terms in 15 European countries between September 2014 and August 2018. All identified keywords were qualitatively categorized. Itch-related terms were descriptively analysed and are shown as number of searches/100 000 inhabitants. RESULTS The search volume for the keyword 'itch' per 100 000 inhabitants was highest in Northern Europe, followed by Eastern, Central and Southern Europe. In 4/15 countries, itch was searched for more often in the autumn/winter months compared to in the spring/summer months. Most itch-related terms were related to dermatological conditions such as inflammatory skin diseases (e.g. psoriasis, atopic dermatitis), allergic or immunologic conditions (e.g. urticaria), and infectious diseases or infestations (e.g. scabies). In terms of body location, genitoanal itch dominated the searches. Symptoms and signs related to itch, possible non-dermatological aetiologies, and treatment options were also among the most searched terms. CONCLUSIONS These analyses provided for the first time insights into the search behaviour patterns related to itch across Europe. People from Northern and Eastern Europe are more likely to seek online information regarding itch. Causes for the itch, especially dermatological conditions, and genitoanal itch are the most important concerns for Internet users. This unconventional and inexpensive method identifies medical needs of people beyond the medical setting, including people who do not seek medical consultation. Accordingly, the data could be used to guide public health interventions and manage respective inhabitants' medical needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- M P Pereira
- Department of Dermatology and Center for Chronic Pruritus, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - S Ziehfreund
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - M Rueth
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - T Ewering
- Department of Dermatology and Center for Chronic Pruritus, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - F J Legat
- Department of Dermatology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - J Lambert
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - J Elberling
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Gentofte, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - L Misery
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - E Brenaut
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Brest, Brest, France
| | - E Papadavid
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, University of Athens Medical School, Attikon Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - S Garcovich
- Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, UOC Dermatologia, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - A W M Evers
- Department of Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - J A Halvorsen
- Department of Dermatology, Oslo University Hospital, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - J C Szepietowski
- Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland
| | - A Reich
- Department of Dermatology, University of Rzeszów, Rzeszów, Poland
| | - M Gonçalo
- Department of Dermatology, University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A Lvov
- Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Moscow, Russia
| | - S Bobko
- Moscow Scientific and Practical Center of Dermatovenereology and Cosmetology, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - J Wallengren
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Dermatology and Venereology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - E Savk
- Department of Dermatology, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydın, Turkey
| | | | - S Ständer
- Department of Dermatology and Center for Chronic Pruritus, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A Zink
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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