Abstract：
Starting in 2019, in Germany the first well documented outbreak of mass sociogenic illness induced by social media (mass social media-induced illness; MSMI) occurred presenting with functional Tourette-like behaviors (FTB). This study aimed to provide first data on the prevalence rate of MSMI-FTB in Germany between 2019 and 2021 in the general population. We conducted a large-scale representative population survey in cooperation with the USUMA market and social research institute. Between August and December 2021, n = 2.509 people (mean age: 49.5 years, range: 16-95 years, n = 1.276 females) were randomly selected, visited in their households, interviewed, and asked to answer for themselves, but also for close family members (n = 6.744). Thus, in total, we received answers for n = 9.253 people. Probable MSMI-FTB was found in n = 33 individuals (mean age at onset: 30.5 years, n = 8 females). Based on strict criteria, the diagnosis of MSMI-FTB was considered highly likely in 16/33 individuals (mean age at onset: 25.6 years, n = 2 females) corresponding to prevalence rates of 0.17% (CIlower = 0.10, CIupper = 0.28) and 0.36% (CIlower = 0.25, CIupper = 0.50), respectively. This is the first large-scale, population representative study investigating the prevalence of MSMI-FTB in the general population in Germany between 2019 and 2021. Based on the prevalence rates found, MSMI-FTB is highly relevant for health economy. Accordingly, we suggest educating healthcare professionals and the general public to avoid misdiagnosis and inefficient treatment.
摘要：
从2019年开始，德国首次爆发了由社交媒体引起的大规模社会疾病（大众社交媒体诱发的疾病；MSMI），表现为功能性Tourette样行为（FTB）。这项研究旨在提供2019年至2021年德国普通人群MSMI-FTB患病率的初步数据。我们与USUMA市场和社会研究所合作进行了大规模的代表性人口调查。2021年8月至12月，n=2.509人(平均年龄：49.5岁，范围：16-95年，n=1.276女性）被随机选择，拜访他们的家庭，采访,并要求自己回答，也适用于亲密的家庭成员（n=6.744）。因此，总的来说,我们收到了n=9.253人的答案。在n=33个人中发现了可能的MSMI-FTB（平均年龄：30.5岁，n=8个女性）。基于严格的标准,MSMI-FTB的诊断被认为在16/33个体中很可能(发病时的平均年龄:25.6岁,n=2女性），对应于0.17％（CIlower=0.10，CI上限=0.28）和0.36％（CIlower=0.25，CI上限=0.50）的患病率，分别。这是第一次大规模，人口代表性研究调查了2019年至2021年德国普通人群MSMI-FTB的患病率。根据发现的患病率，MSMI-FTB与卫生经济高度相关。因此，我们建议教育医疗保健专业人员和公众，以避免误诊和低效的治疗。
