背景:Facebook(FB)是最受欢迎的在线网络平台。许多乳糜泻Facebook(CD-FB)页面传播有关乳糜泻(CD)的认识。为了获得最新信息,CD患者经常遵循这样的页面。然而,对于这些页面是否提供真实可靠的信息知之甚少。
目的:本研究旨在调查CD-FB页面是否向CD患者传播误导性信息。
方法:在Facebook社交网络平台上,在三个乳糜泻流行国家创建的CD-FB页面(意大利,美国,和印度)使用不同的关键词组合进行了探索。CD-FB页面的类型/类别,原产国,目的,网页链接,以及关注者/成员的数量记录在Microsoft电子表格中。在过去3年中,在选定的CD-FB页面上分发的所有帖子都经过了彻底筛选。
结果:从2022年8月到2023年3月,来自意大利的总共200个CD-FB页面,美国,和印度被探索。在这200页中,155CD-FB(意大利70;美国46;印度39)被发现符合资格。其中,20(13%)CD-FB页面(意大利4;美国5;印度11)分享了有关CD的误导性信息。令人惊讶的是,这20页中的11页(8%)(意大利0页;美国2页;印度9页)支持CD的替代治疗方案。
结论:CD-FB页面可用于传播乳糜泻相关信息。虽然大多数这样的页面提供有用的信息,13%的CD-FB页面允许误导性信息。CD患者应在CD-FB页面上发布任何不确定的信息之前咨询其治疗单位。
BACKGROUND: Facebook (FB) is the most popular online networking platform. Many celiac disease Facebook (CD-FB) pages spread awareness about celiac disease (CD). To get the latest information, patients with CD frequently follow such pages. However, little is known about whether such pages provide authentic and reliable information.
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate whether CD-FB pages spread misleading information to patients with CD.
METHODS: On the Facebook social networking platform, CD-FB pages created in three celiac-prevalent countries (Italy, the USA, and India) were explored using different combinations of keywords. The type/category of the CD-FB page, country of origin, purpose, page web link, and number of followers/members were documented in a Microsoft spreadsheet. All posts distributed on selected CD-FB pages in the last 3 years were thoroughly screened.
RESULTS: From August 2022 to March 2023, a total of 200 CD-FB pages from Italy, the USA, and India were explored. Out of these 200 pages, 155 CD-FB (Italy 70; the USA 46; India 39) were found eligible. Of them, 20 (13%) CD-FB pages (Italy 4; the USA 5; India 11) shared misleading information about CD. Surprisingly, 11 (8%) of these 20 pages (Italy 0; the USA 2; India 9) supported alternative treatment options for CD.
CONCLUSIONS: CD-FB pages are useful for disseminating celiac-disease-related information. While most such pages provide useful information, 13% of CD-FB pages allow misleading information. Patients with CD should consult their treating unit before following any uncertain information posted on CD-FB pages.