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Wecker H, Ziehfreund S, Sitaru S, Johansson EK, Elberling J, Doll A, Nicolaidou E, Scala E, Boffa MJ, Schmidt L, Sikora M, Torres T, Chernyshov PV, Zink A. Burden of atopic dermatitis in Europe: A population-centred approach leveraging web search data in 21 European countries. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol 2024; 38:1637-1648. [PMID: 38641980 DOI: 10.1111/jdv.19989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The complexity, high prevalence, and substantial personal and socioeconomic burden collectively render atopic dermatitis (AD) a major public health concern. Using crowdsourced Internet data has the potential to provide unique insights into this concern, as demonstrated by several previous studies. However, a comprehensive comparison across European countries remains lacking. OBJECTIVES The study aimed to investigate AD-related web searches across Europe to assess spatiotemporal variations and associations between disease-related and external factors. METHODS AD-related web search data were extracted for 21 European countries between February 2019 and January 2023. Descriptive analysis and autocorrelation functions were performed to examine spatiotemporal patterns. Correlations (r) were used to evaluate the associations between web searches and disease-related, socioeconomic and meteorological data. RESULTS Over 241 million AD-related web searches were identified, with search volume varying substantially among European countries (p < 0.001) and correlating with AD prevalence and disease burden (both r = 0.51, p = 0.019). Search volume increased between 2019 and 2023 in all countries and seasonally peaked in January and March. Negative correlations with median population age (r = -0.46, p = 0.039), number of general practitioners (r = -0.29, p = 0.226) and specialists (r = -0.27, p = 0.270) were observed. Moderate to strong correlations were found between search volume and cold, humid and windy weather with fewer sunshine hours, while higher online interest typically occurred 1-3 months after such weather conditions. CONCLUSION The study highlights the great potential of online crowdsourced data analysis, for example, to investigate the impact of climate change or to identify unmet needs at a population level. Furthermore, the growing online interest in AD and the corresponding seasonal peaks emphasize the necessity of adapting treatment plans, intensifying public health campaigns, and disseminating reliable online information by governments and healthcare providers, especially during these periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wecker
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefanie Ziehfreund
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sebastian Sitaru
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Emma K Johansson
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jesper Elberling
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Herlev and Gentofte Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Anaïs Doll
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Electra Nicolaidou
- 1st Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Emanuele Scala
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine Solna and Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Lea Schmidt
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Mariusz Sikora
- National Institute of Geriatrics, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tiago Torres
- Department of Dermatology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Santo António, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pavel V Chernyshov
- Department of Dermatology and Venereology, National Medical University, Kiev, Ukraine
| | - Alexander Zink
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Wecker H, Höllerl L, Schick TS, Biedermann T, Zink A, Ziehfreund S. Patient Journey und krankheitsbezogene Nutzung digitaler Medien: Eine Querschnittsstudie unter Dermatologie-Patienten in Deutschland: Patient journey and disease-related digital media usage: A cross-sectional study among dermatology patients across Germany. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2024; 22:377-388. [PMID: 38450942 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15311_g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
ZusammenfassungHintergrund und ZieleZiel dieser Studie war es, die Auswirkungen der Nutzung gesundheitsbezogener digitaler Medien auf die Arzt‐Patienten‐Beziehung und die Patient Journey (Weg des Patienten durch alle Phasen seiner Erkrankung) zu untersuchen, um positive Veränderungen in der dermatologischen Praxis zu bewirken.Patienten und MethodikVon Juni bis November 2022 füllten Personen mit Hautkrankheiten in Deutschland einen Fragebogen zur Bewertung der gesundheitsbezogenen Nutzung digitaler Medien, der E‐Health‐Kompetenz, des Einflusses der Nutzung digitaler Medien auf die Arzt‐Patienten‐Beziehung und die Patient Journey sowie soziodemografischer und gesundheitlicher Merkmale aus. Die Daten wurden deskriptiv und mittels linearer Regressionen analysiert.ErgebnisseInsgesamt wurden 919 Teilnehmer analysiert (medianes Alter: 47,00, Interquartilsbereich [28,00; 61,00] Jahre, weiblich: 53,6%, Nutzer digitaler Medien im Kontext der Erkrankung: 56,8%). Google und Online‐Enzyklopädien wurden am häufigsten vor und nach der dermatologischen Konsultation genutzt. Online‐Selbsthilfegruppen wurden von 76,3% der nicht behandelten Teilnehmer in Anspruch genommen. Die Nutzung digitaler Medien hatte keinen Einfluss auf die Arzt‐Patienten‐Beziehung und wirkte sich positiv auf die Patient Journey aus. Positive Auswirkungen wurden mit höherer E‐Health‐Kompetenz, Zufriedenheit mit der Qualität digitaler Medien, Bedeutung digitaler Medien, ländlichem Wohnsitz, höherem Bildungsniveau und Vertrauen in Dermatologen in Verbindung gebracht.SchlussfolgerungenDie dermatologische Versorgung in Arztpraxen kann vom Potenzial digitaler Gesundheitsmedien profitieren. Eine evidenzbasierte digitale Gesundheitsplattform ist erforderlich, um die E‐Health‐Kompetenz der Betroffenen zu erhöhen und ihre Zufriedenheit mit der Qualität digitaler Medien zu verbessern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wecker
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technische Universität München, München, Deutschland
| | - Lea Höllerl
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technische Universität München, München, Deutschland
| | - Teresa Sophie Schick
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technische Universität München, München, Deutschland
| | - Tilo Biedermann
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technische Universität München, München, Deutschland
| | - Alexander Zink
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technische Universität München, München, Deutschland
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Schweden
| | - Stefanie Ziehfreund
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Dermatologie und Allergologie, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Technische Universität München, München, Deutschland
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Wecker H, Höllerl L, Schick TS, Biedermann T, Zink A, Ziehfreund S. Patient journey and disease-related digital media usage: A cross-sectional study among dermatology patients across Germany. J Dtsch Dermatol Ges 2024; 22:377-387. [PMID: 38308182 DOI: 10.1111/ddg.15311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES This study aimed to fill the gap of evidence-based data by examining the impact of health-related digital media use's impact on the patient-physician relationship and patient journey, with the goal of driving positive changes in office-based dermatological practice. PATIENTS AND METHODS German individuals with skin conditions completed a questionnaire assessing health-related digital media use, eHealth literacy, impact of digital media use on the patient-physician relationship and patient journey, and sociodemographic and health characteristics from June to November 2022, followed by descriptive analysis and linear regressions. RESULTS Overall, 919 participants were analyzed (median age: 47.00, interquartile range [28.00; 61.00] years, female: 53.6%, health-related digital media users: 56.8%). Google and online encyclopedias were commonly used before and after dermatological consultations. Online self-help groups were used by 75% of non-treated participants. Digital media use had no impact on the patient-physician relationship and a positive impact on the patient journey. Positive impacts were associated with higher eHealth literacy, satisfaction with digital media quality, importance of digital media, rural residence, high education, and trust in dermatologists. CONCLUSIONS The potential of health-related digital media in office-based dermatological care necessitates the drive of an evidence-based digital health platform to improve eHealth literacy and satisfaction with the quality of digital media among affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah Wecker
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Munich, Germany
| | - Lea Höllerl
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Munich, Germany
| | - Teresa Sophie Schick
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Munich, Germany
| | - Tilo Biedermann
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Munich, Germany
| | - Alexander Zink
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Munich, Germany
- Division of Dermatology and Venereology, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefanie Ziehfreund
- Technical University of Munich, TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Munich, Germany
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