The association of online search interest with polio cases and vaccine coverage: an infodemiological and ecological study

Burden of Neurological Diseases in the Philippines as Revealed by Web Searches: An Infodemiological Study

Due to the real-time acquisition of big data from the Internet, analysis of Google queries is now recognized as a valuable tool to explore and predict human behavior and interests. It was suggested that online data can be correlated with actual health data. Although the data are not structured nor systematic, the huge data from search engines can easily identify trends concerning diseases and other health concepts from a population perspective. Moreover, Internet data with the use of web search advertising nowadays may not only reveal the interest of the general population but also of the healthcare industry as reflected by the bid prices in search terms for medications. We aimed to compare the interests of the general population using monthly search volumes from Google and the healthcare industry using bid prices in web searches. Data used in this study were obtained from the Google Ads Application Programming Interface (API). This study evaluated the population's interest in neurological disorders by using search volumes related to neurology, either disease diagnosis or medications. Bid values generated in API were used as a proxy for the interests of the healthcare industry. Spearman's rank-order correlation was performed between search volumes and bid prices to determine significance. Among the neurologic diseases listed, the most searched were attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, migraine, and Alzheimer's disease. The most commonly searched drugs were oral antihypertensives (amlodipine, losartan, carvedilol), lipid-lowering agents (atorvastatin, simvastatin, rosuvastatin), and antiplatelets (acetylsalicylic acid, clopidogrel). The other most searched drugs were analgesics such as acetaminophen, tramadol, diclofenac, and morphine. The correlational analysis did not reveal a statistically significant correlation between search volume and bid price for both neurologic diseases and medications. Web searches may reflect the interest of the general population and the healthcare industry. However, there was disagreement in the search interests of the general population and the scientific community, including the pharmaceutical industry. Further studies are necessary in order to align these interests for the common benefit of all stakeholders.

Spatiotemporal evolution of online attention to vaccines since 2011: An empirical study in China

Since the outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Chinese government has taken a number of measures to effectively control the pandemic. By the end of 2021, China achieved a full vaccination rate higher than 85%. The Chinese Plan provides an important model for the global fight against COVID-19. Internet search reflects the public's attention toward and potential demand for a particular thing. Research on the spatiotemporal characteristics of online attention to vaccines can determine the spatiotemporal distribution of vaccine demand in China and provides a basis for global public health policy making. This study analyzes the spatiotemporal characteristics of online attention to vaccines and their influencing factors in 31 provinces/municipalities in mainland China with Baidu Index as the data source by using geographic concentration index, coefficient of variation, GeoDetector, and other methods. The following findings are presented. First, online attention to vaccines showed an overall upward trend in China since 2011, especially after 2016. Significant seasonal differences and an unbalanced monthly distribution were observed. Second, there was an obvious geographical imbalance in online attention to vaccines among the provinces/municipalities, generally exhibiting a spatial pattern of “high in the east and low in the west.” Low aggregation and obvious spatial dispersion among the provinces/municipalities were also observed. The geographic distribution of hot and cold spots of online attention to vaccines has clear boundaries. The hot spots are mainly distributed in the central-eastern provinces and the cold spots are in the western provinces. Third, the spatiotemporal differences in online attention to vaccines are the combined result of socioeconomic level, socio-demographic characteristics, and disease control level.

Infodemiology of autoimmune encephalitis, autoimmune seizures, and autoimmune epilepsy: An analysis of online search behavior using Google Trends

BACKGROUND

Patients and their caregivers, including clinicians and educators, use web-based search engines to access healthcare-related information from the internet. Online search behavior analysis has been used to obtain insights on health information demand.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to describe the online search behavior for autoimmune encephalitis, autoimmune seizures, and autoimmune encephalitis (AE) worldwide over time through the analysis of search volumes made on Google.

METHODS

In this infodemiological study, we retrieved search volume indices for the keyword "autoimmune encephalitis (search term)", "autoimmune seizures (search term)", and "autoimmune encephalitis (search term)" based on worldwide search data from January 01, 2004 to October 31, 2021, using Google Trends. We performed a descriptive analysis of search volume patterns, including related topics and queries.

RESULTS

There was a progressive increase in search volume numbers over time for the keyword "autoimmune encephalitis", "autoimmune seizures", and "autoimmune epilepsy" with no annual seasonal variation. Peak search volumes for these keywords were recorded in July 2018, February 2005, December 2012, respectively. The greatest search volume for "autoimmune encephalitis" was recorded in Singapore, followed by Australia, the United States of America, the Philippines, and New Zealand, whereas it was highest in the United States for "autoimmune seizures" and "autoimmune epilepsy". The most searched topics were related to definition, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. All related topics and queries increased in volume by more than 5000-fold over time.

CONCLUSIONS

This study showed an uptrend in the online search interest on autoimmune encephalitis, autoimmune seizures, and autoimmune epilepsy over time, which may reflect the increased awareness of the condition by the public and the medical community. Information on online health information-seeking behavior may be obtained from Google Trends data despite its limitations.

Brain Tumor Infodemiology: Worldwide Online Health-Seeking Behavior Using Google Trends and Wikipedia Pageviews

Background

Searching the internet for information on common neurologic symptoms and diseases has been increasing in recent times. It is postulated that online search volume data could be utilized to gauge public awareness and real-world epidemiological data regarding brain tumors.

Objectives

The goal of this study was to describe the pattern of online search queries of keywords related to neoplasms of the central nervous system (CNS).

Methods

Using Google Trends, search activity from January 2004 – January 2021 was quantified using relative search volume (RSV). The average RSV for the first 3 years was compared with the final 3 years to account for percent change. Wikipedia article views from July 2007 – January 2021 were generated using Pageviews. Peaks in RSV and page views were then matched for related news.

Results

“Brain tumor”, “brain cancer”, “glioblastoma”, and “glioma” had the highest search volume. RSV from Google Trends and views of Wikipedia pages reflected comparable data in terms of known prevalence rankings of tumor subtypes. There were no observable trends that could correlate to the rising numbers of brain tumor cases worldwide. However, headlines of personalities being diagnosed with glioblastomas were mostly responsible for temporary increases in public interest.

Conclusions

Transient rises in online search volume mirror public awareness of more aggressive CNS neoplasms that have a high burden of disease. Worldwide interest in brain tumors may not necessarily correspond to clinical occurrence, but may signify an unmet gap in providing accurate online information to neuro-oncologic patients.

Patterns of Google search behavior for epilepsy and seizures in the Philippines: An infodemiological study

BACKGROUND

The internet has been established as a rich source of health information that is well utilized by the public. Online health information-seeking behavior may reflect public awareness in particular health-related topics, including epilepsy and seizures.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to describe online search behavior for epilepsy and seizures in the Philippines through the examination of trends of Philippine-based Google search queries for epilepsy and seizure-related terms.

METHODS

The search volume indices (SVIs) for the keywords "epilepsy (disorder)" and "seizure (disease)" based on Philippine-based Google searches from January 2004 to July 2021 were generated using Google Trends. Descriptive analysis of search volume patterns, including related topics and queries, was performed.

RESULTS

There was a recent relative increase in Philippine-based searches related to the term "seizure" with a concurrent relative decline in searches related to the term "epilepsy" over time. The Philippines had the fifth-highest SVI for "seizure" based on worldwide trends. Most searches centered on the definition, symptomatology, etiologies, classification, and treatment of seizures and epilepsy. Queries containing seizure-related terms rose in volume by more than 5000% during the seventeen-year period. Search volume tended to peak during the National Epilepsy Awareness Week in September but slumped during holiday months.

CONCLUSIONS

Online search behavior in the Philippines for seizure-related terms appears to be on the rise and may reflect increasing public awareness in epilepsy. Factors including fears surrounding epileptic seizures, the stigma surrounding the term "epilepsy", and seasonal events including a regularly held epilepsy awareness week may influence online search behavior.