Global public interest in systemic lupus erythematosus: an investigation based on internet search data

Objective This study aims at investigating the global public interest in seeking information about systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) using Google Trends (GT). Methods An electronic search was performed using GT with the search term lupus as well as the option of disease from January 2004 to December 2018. Cosinor analysis was applied to detect the seasonality of SLE-related relative search volume (RSV). In addition, analysis on SLE-related topics including “hot topics” and “top rising topics” was also conducted. Results Overall, SLE-related RSV showed a decreasing trend from January 2004 to December 2013 and then demonstrated a slowly increasing trend from January 2014 to December 2018. Cosinor test showed no significant seasonal variation in SLE-related RSV ( p > .025). RSV peaked in May and reached the trough in November. The top seven rising topics were Selena Gomez, Sjögren syndrome, autoimmunity, rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatology, antinuclear antibody and autoimmune disease. Conclusion The results from GT analysis showed slowly increasing internet searches for SLE in recent years. This trend was followed by a peak of RSV in May and reached its lowest level in November. However, globally, the results did not reveal a significant seasonal variation in GT for SLE. Additionally, the top fast-growing topics regarding SLE may be valuable for doctors and nurses to provide timely education of the disease to patients, as well as promote the development of public health.

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Seasonal Variation and Global Public Interest in the Internet Searches for Osteoporosis

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2021/6663559 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Chao Wang ◽

Xiong Shu ◽

Jianfeng Tao ◽

Yanzhuo Zhang ◽

Yue Yuan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Variation ◽

Public Interest ◽

Seasonal Pattern ◽

Late Winter ◽

Search Term ◽

Ibandronic Acid ◽

Search Volume ◽

Significant Seasonal Variation ◽

Relative Search Volume ◽

Google Search

Background. To ascertain the seasonal pattern and global public interest in osteoporosis by evaluating search term popularity changes of the disease over a decade. Methods. We applied Google Trends to retrieve search popularity scores for the term “osteoporosis” between January 01, 2004, and December 31, 2019. Cosinor analyses were conducted to examine the seasonality of osteoporosis, and analysis on osteoporosis-related topics including hot topics and rising-related topics was also performed. Results. The cosinor analyses demonstrated a statistically significant seasonal variation in relative search volume of the “osteoporosis” in the world ( p = 0.0083 ), USA ( p < 0.001 ), UK ( p < 0.001 ), Canada ( p < 0.001 ), Ireland ( p < 0.001 ), Australia ( p < 0.001 ), and New Zealand ( p < 0.001 ), with a peak in the late winter months and trough in the summer months. The peaks in late winter and valley in summer presented an approximately 6-month difference between hemispheres. The top 11 rising topics were denosumab, FRAX, hypocalcaemia, zoledronic acid, ibandronic acid, osteomyelitis, osteopenia, osteoarthritis, bone, calcium, and bone density. Conclusions. Google search query volumes related to osteoporosis follow strong seasonal patterns with late winter peaks and summer troughs. Further studies aimed at elucidating the possible mechanisms behind seasonality in osteoporosis are needed. Moreover, Internet data including the top rising topics may alert physicians to strengthen the propaganda of osteoporosis timely, so as to further promote the development of public health interventions.

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Seasonal Variation in the Activity of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The Journal of Rheumatology ◽

10.3899/jrheum.111196 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 39 (7) ◽

pp. 1392-1398 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

ALÍ DUARTE-GARCÍA ◽

HONG FANG ◽

CHI HUNG TO ◽

LAURENCE S. MAGDER ◽

MICHELLE PETRI

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Seasonal Variation ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Activity Index ◽

Antiphospholipid Antibody ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Significant Seasonal Variation ◽

Global Disease Activity ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

Objective.To determine whether there is any seasonal variation in the activity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) overall and by individual organs.Methods.The study group comprised 2102 patients with SLE who were followed in a prospective longitudinal cohort study. In this cohort, 92.3% of the patients were women. The mean ± SD age of the patients was 47.9 ± 13.9 years, 56.3% were white, 37.1% were African American, and 3.1% were Asian. Global disease activity was recorded by the Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment – Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) and the physician’s global assessment. Activity of each organ was also recorded using SLEDAI terms and a visual analog scale (VAS; 0 to 3).Results.There was significant seasonal variation in photosensitive rash (p < 0.0001), which was more frequent in the spring and summer months (p < 0.0001). There was significantly more arthritis activity in spring and summer, as measured by both SELENA-SLEDAI (p = 0.0057) and the joint VAS (p = 0.0047). A decrease in renal activity was found in the summer months compared to the rest of the year (p = 0.0397). Serositis recorded by VAS had higher activity from August to October (p = 0.0392). Anti-dsDNA levels were significantly higher during October and November (p < 0.0001). There was significant seasonal variation in antiphospholipid antibody levels (p < 0.0001) and lupus anticoagulant (p = 0.0003). We found a significant variation in activity through the year in global disease activity as measured by SELENA-SLEDAI (p = 0.048).Conclusion.In the Hopkins Lupus Cohort, skin and joint activity is increased during the spring and summer, but other organs have different patterns. These seasonal variations likely reflect environmental factors that influence disease activity, including ultraviolet light and infections.

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Using internet search data to explore the global public concerns in ankylosing spondylitis

Postgraduate Medical Journal ◽

10.1136/postgradmedj-2019-137407 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. postgradmedj-2019-137407

Author(s):

Yong-Jun Mei ◽

Yan-Mei Mao ◽

Fan Cao ◽

Tao Wang ◽

Zhi-Jun Li

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Ankylosing Spondylitis ◽

Public Interest ◽

Global Scale ◽

Hla B27 ◽

Internet Search ◽

Search Volume ◽

Significant Seasonal Variation ◽

Search Data ◽

Public Concerns

ObjectiveThis study explored the changes of global public interest in internet search of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) based on Google Trends (GT) data, in order to reflect the characteristics of AS itself.MethodsGT was used to obtain the search popularity scores of the term ’AS’ on a global scale, between January 2004 and December 2018, under the ’health’ classification. Based on the global search data of AS provided by GT, the cosinor analysis was used to test whether there was seasonality in AS.ResultsIn general, AS related search volume demonstrated a decreasing trend from January 2004 to December 2014 and then remain stable from January 2015 to December 2018. No obvious seasonal variations were detected in AS related search volume (amplitude=1.54; phase: month=3.9; low point: month=9.9; p>0.025), which peaked in April and bottomed out in October. The top 17 rising topics were adalimumab, spondylolisthesis, Morbus, Vladimir Mikhailovich Bekhterev, autoimmune disease, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosis, HLA- B27 positive, Crohn’s disease, rheumatology, spondylosis, arthritis, uveitis, rheumatism, sacroiliac, psoriatic arthritis and spondylitis.ConclusionsGlobally, there is no significant seasonal variation in GT for AS. The top fast-growing topics related to AS may be beneficial for doctors to provide targeted health education of the disease to patients and their families.

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Seasonal variations and public search interests in Toxoplasma: a 16-year retrospective analysis of big data on Google Trends

Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.1093/trstmh/traa147 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Lei Liu ◽

Peng Wang ◽

Su-Qin Jiang ◽

Zi-Rong Zhong ◽

Ting-Zheng Zhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New Zealand ◽

Google Trends ◽

Seasonal Patterns ◽

Search Term ◽

Internet Search ◽

Search Volume ◽

The Usa ◽

Search Data ◽

Relative Search Volume ◽

The Uk

Abstract Background This study aims to understand whether there is a seasonal change in the internet search interest for Toxoplasma by using the data derived from Google Trends (GT). Methods The present study searched for the relative search volume (RSV) for the search term ‘Toxoplasma’ in GT within six major English-speaking countries (Australia, New Zealand [Southern Hemisphere] and Canada, Ireland, the UK and the USA [Northern Hemisphere] from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2019, utilizing the category of ‘health’. Data regarding the RSV of Toxoplasma was obtained and further statistical analysis was performed in R software using the ‘season’ package. Results There were significantly seasonal patterns for the RSV of the search term ‘Toxoplasma’ in five countries (all p<0.05), except for the UK. A peak in December–March and a trough in July–September (Canada, Ireland, the UK and the USA) were observed, while a peak in June/August and a trough in December/February (Australia, New Zealand) were also found. Moreover, the presence of seasonal patterns regarding RSV for ‘Toxoplasma’ between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres was also found (both p<0.05), with a reversed meteorological month. Conclusions Overall, our study revealed the seasonal variation for Toxoplasma in using internet search data from GT, providing additional evidence on seasonal patterns in Toxoplasma.

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Enhanced Public Interest in Response to the Refugee and Healthcare Crises in Greece

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17072272 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (7) ◽

pp. 2272 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ourania S. Kotsiou ◽

Vaios S. Kotsios ◽

Konstantinos I. Gourgoulianis

Keyword(s):

Economic Crisis ◽

Public Interest ◽

Public Awareness ◽

National Health System ◽

Search Term ◽

The Public ◽

Search Terms ◽

Search Volume ◽

Aegean Islands ◽

Relative Search Volume

Background: The Greek National Health System (NHS) has been profoundly affected by the synergy of the economic and refugee crises. We aimed at evaluating the public interest regarding refugee and healthcare issues in Greece. Methods: Google Trends was employed to normalize traffic data on a scale from 0 to 100, presented as monthly relative search volume (RSV) for the search term queries: “refugees”, “health”, “diseases”, “hospital”, and “economic crisis” in Greece, from the period 2008 to 2020. Cross-country comparisons in selected European countries were made. Results: The analysis of RSV data showed an upward trend for the keyword “refugee”, in Greece, in the last five years, with two remarkable peaks from 2015 to 2016 and from 2019 to the present. Interest regarding refugees was more prevalent in the Aegean islands compared to the mainland. The mass influx of refugees has been linked to disease-related concerns. The search terms “hospital” and “health” have been the most popular and constantly quested topics since the beginning of the economic crisis in Greece, in 2009. Similar trends existed across Europe. Conclusion: There is an urgent need for effective public awareness of current politico-ethical and social-economic conditions. The patterns of public interest can formulate public policy.

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Seasonal variation in systemic lupus erythematosus and rheumatoid arthritis: An ecological study based on internet searches

Autoimmunity Reviews ◽

10.1016/j.autrev.2019.06.001 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 825-827 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Hai-Feng Pan ◽

Peng Wang ◽

Guo-Cui Wu ◽

Yan-Feng Zou ◽

Zhiwei Xu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Seasonal Variation ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Ecological Study ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Internet Searches

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Increase in public interest concerning alternative medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia: a Google Trends study

F1000Research ◽

10.12688/f1000research.25525.2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. 1201

Author(s):

Dewi Rokhmah ◽

Khaidar Ali ◽

Serius Miliyani Dwi Putri ◽

Khoiron Khoiron

Keyword(s):

Alternative Medicine ◽

Public Interest ◽

Time Lag ◽

Google Trends ◽

Rank Test ◽

Search Term ◽

Alternative Medicines ◽

Search Volume ◽

Relative Search Volume ◽

Time Lag Correlation

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered individuals to increase their healthy behaviour in order to prevent transmission, including improving their immunity potentially through the use of alternative medicines. This study aimed to examine public interest on alternative medicine during the COVID-19 pandemic using Google Trends in Indonesia. Methods: Employing a quantitative study, the Spearman rank test was used to analyze the correlation between Google Relative Search Volume (RSV) of various search terms, within the categories of alternative medicine, herbal medicine and practical activity, with COVID-19 cases. In addition, time lag correlation was also investigated. Results: Public interest toward alternative medicine during COVID-19 pandemic in Indonesia is dramatically escalating. All search term categories (alternative medicine, medical herbal, and alternative medicine activities) were positively associated with COVID-19 cases (p<0.05). The terms ‘ginger’ (r=0.6376), ‘curcumin’ (r=0.6550) and ‘planting ginger’ (0.6713) had the strongest correlation. Furthermore, time lag correlation between COVID-19 and Google RSV was also positively significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Public interest concerning alternative medicine related terms dramatically increased after the first COVID-19 confirmed case was reported in Indonesia. Time lag correlation showed good performance using weekly data. The Indonesian Government will play an important role to provide and monitor information related to alternative medicine in order for the population to receive the maximum benefit.

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Internet search results correlate with seasonal variation of sarcoidosis

BMC Pulmonary Medicine ◽

10.1186/s12890-021-01602-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amanda Stanton ◽

Steven J. Katz

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Variation ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Epidemiologic Studies ◽

Google Trends ◽

Medical Diagnoses ◽

Search Terms ◽

Search Volume ◽

Significant Seasonal Variation ◽

Relative Search Volume ◽

Low Prevalence

Abstract Background The etiology and pathophysiology of sarcoidosis remains unclear, with epidemiologic studies limited by its relatively low prevalence. The internet has prompted patients to seek information about medical diagnoses online; Google Trends provides access to an anonymized version of this data, which has a new role in epidemiology. We hypothesize that there is seasonal variation in the relative search interest of sarcoidosis, which would suggest seasonal variation in the incidence of sarcoidosis. Methods Google Trends was used to assess the relative search volume from 2010 to 2020 for “sarcoidosis” and “sarcoid” in 7 countries. ANOVA with multiple comparisons was performed to compare the mean relative search volume by month and by season for each country, with a p-value less than 0.05 indicating statistical significance. Results Our analysis revealed a significant seasonal variation in search popularity in 4 of the 7 countries and in the Northern Hemispheric countries combined. Direct comparison showed search terms to be more popular in spring, specifically March & April, than in the winter. Southern Hemisphere data was not statistically significant but showed a trend towards a nadir in December and a peak in September and October. Conclusions Overall, these findings suggest seasonal variation with a possible peak in spring and nadir in winter. This supports the hypothesis that sarcoidosis has seasonal variation and is more commonly diagnosed in spring, but more evidence is needed to support this, as well as investigation into the pathophysiology of sarcoidosis to explain this phenomenon.

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Google trends to identify public’s Interest in bowel cancer, A Web Based Analysis.

Journal of Clinical Research and Reports ◽

10.31579/2690-1919/120 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (4) ◽

pp. 01-04

Author(s):

T Manzoor

Keyword(s):

Bowel Cancer ◽

Google Trends ◽

Volume Index ◽

Search Term ◽

Health Campaigns ◽

Cancer Awareness ◽

Search Volume ◽

Search Data ◽

Public Health Campaigns ◽

Relative Search Volume

Aims: Bowel Cancer is one of the commonest cancers in UK. Google Trends were used to evaluate public’s search interest regarding bowel cancer. We hypothesize that the search data in Google Trends may be influenced by “Bowel cancer awareness month” campaign and that in future this might be a useful surrogate to monitor the effectiveness of public health campaigns. Methods: Google Trends were used to extract data presented as “Relative search volume index”(SVI) ranging between 0 to 100. “Bowel Cancer” was used as a search term to collect the relevant data for the last 5 years ( January 2015 to December 2019), All the peaks were assessed and their correlation with bowel cancer awareness month was noted. Results: We noticed an upward trend for the searched term during the months of April for most of the years where peak of search touched 90%. It corresponds with bowel cancer awareness month campaign. A downward trend was also noticed during the months of December during all years where it went down to 53%. This may represent avoidance of health related searches during the happy holiday period. Conclusion: Our study shows an encouraging association between bowel cancer awareness month campaign and public’s search interest. Results can be used in future to start effective awareness strategies and leverage future interventions.

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