Turkish YouTube Videos as a Source of Information on Biologic Therapies in Rheumatic Diseases: An Assessment of Quality, Reliability, and Content: Quality of YouTube Videos on Biologic Therapies

Nihal Lermi; Zeynep Fural

doi:10.28982/josam.8711

Authors

Nihal Lermi Department of Rheumatology, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Health Research Center, Istanbul, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2774-5913
Zeynep Fural Department of Rheumatology, University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Kartal Dr. Lütfi Kırdar Health Research Center, Istanbul, Türkiye https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5859-2502

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.28982/josam.8711

Keywords:

biologic therapy, patient education, rheumatic diseases, reliability, YouTube

Abstract

Background/Aim: YouTube is increasingly used as a source of health-related information; however, the quality and reliability of Turkish-language content on biologic therapies in rheumatic diseases remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the quality, reliability, usefulness, and content completeness of Turkish-language YouTube videos on biologic therapies.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 24 eligible videos were independently evaluated by two rheumatologists using the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), Global Quality Score (GQS), usefulness classification, and an 11-item content checklist.

Results: Twenty videos (83.3%) were physician-presented. The median content score was 5 (range, 1–10), and no video addressed all 11 domains. Indications for biologic therapy were the most frequently covered domain (79.2%), whereas pregnancy/breastfeeding was the least frequently addressed (4.2%). The median mDISCERN and GQS scores were 2 (range, 1–4) and 3 (range, 1–5), respectively, and 21 videos (87.5%) were classified as useful. GQS correlated with mDISCERN (ρ = 0.452, P = 0.026) and content score (ρ = 0.436, P = 0.033). Video duration correlated strongly with content score (ρ = 0.801, P < 0.001) and moderately with GQS (ρ = 0.474, P = 0.019), whereas views and likes were not associated with quality, reliability, or content completeness.

Conclusion: Turkish-language YouTube videos on biologic therapies were generally useful but showed limited reliability and incomplete content. The marked lack of information on pregnancy and breastfeeding highlights an important gap in patient-oriented educational content.

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