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Analysis of Answers to Queries among Anonymous Users with Gastroenterological Problems on an Internet Forum

Author

Listed:
  • Mikołaj Kamiński

    (Sanprobi Sp.z o.o. Sp. k., 70-535 Szczecin, Poland
    These authors contributed equally to this manuscript.)

  • Michał Borger

    (Faculty of Medicine I, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-780 Poznań, Poland
    These authors contributed equally to this manuscript.)

  • Piotr Prymas

    (Faculty of Medicine I, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-780 Poznań, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Muth

    (Faculty of Medicine I, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-780 Poznań, Poland)

  • Adam Stachowski

    (Faculty of Medicine I, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-780 Poznań, Poland)

  • Igor Łoniewski

    (Department of Biochemistry and Human Nutrition, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland)

  • Wojciech Marlicz

    (Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University, 70-204 Szczecin, Poland)

Abstract

Internet forums are an attractive source of health-related information. We aimed to investigate threads in the gastroenterological section of a popular Polish medical forum for anonymous users. We characterised the following aspects in threads: the main problem of the original poster, declared ailments and rationale of the responses (rational, neutral, harmful or not related to the problem of the original poster). We analysed over 2717 forum threads initiated in the years 2010–2018. Users mostly asked for diagnosis of the problem [1814 (66.8%)], treatment [1056 (38.9%)] and diagnostic interpretation [308 (11.3%)]. The most commonly declared symptoms were abdominal pain [1046 (38.5%)], diarrhea [454 (16.7%)] and bloating [354 (13.0%)]. Alarm symptoms were mentioned in 309 (11.4%) threads. From the total 3550 responses, 1257 (35.4%) were assessed as rational, 693 (19.5%) as neutral, 157 (4.4%) as harmful and 1440 (40.6%) as not related to the user’s problem. The original poster’s declaration of blood in stool, dyspepsia, pain in the abdominal right lower quadrant, weight loss or inflammatory bowel disease was positively related to obtaining at least one potentially harmful response. Advice from anonymous users on Internet forums may be irrational and disregards alarm symptoms, which can delay the diagnosis of life-threatening diseases.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikołaj Kamiński & Michał Borger & Piotr Prymas & Agnieszka Muth & Adam Stachowski & Igor Łoniewski & Wojciech Marlicz, 2020. "Analysis of Answers to Queries among Anonymous Users with Gastroenterological Problems on an Internet Forum," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:3:p:1042-:d:317505
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka & Ewa Stachowska & Dominika Maciejewska & Karina Ryterska & Joanna Palma & Maja Czerwińska-Rogowska & Mariusz Kaczmarczyk & Anna Gudan & Honorata Mruk & Barbara Świniarska , 2018. "The Digestive Health among Participants of the Woodstock Rock Festival in Poland—A Cross-Sectional Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-13, October.
    2. Indrani Saran & Günther Fink & Margaret McConnell, 2018. "How does anonymous online peer communication affect prevention behavior? Evidence from a laboratory experiment," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-16, November.
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    1. Michal Dolezel & Zdenek Smutny, 2021. "Usage of eHealth/mHealth Services among Young Czech Adults and the Impact of COVID-19: An Explorative Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-16, July.

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