This study evaluates YouTube videos (YTVs) focused on male infertility to assess information quality and identify highquality content that can reliably facilitate care. Top 50 YTVs based on relevance were identified using the keyword "male infertility." A checklist, adapted from American Urological Association guidelines addressing male infertility, was developed to assess YTV content. Two investigators extracted YTV features (including duration, likes, views, upload date), classified creators and ranked YTVs based on checklist scores. YTVs were then assigned grades A-D based on checklist scores. Kruskal-Wallis test and ANOVA were employed to draw associations between grades, content creator, and YTV features. Higher grades were associated with shorter video duration (p = 0.0305). Most YTVs (23/42) were created by healthcare-related organizations. Of the 42 YTVs included in the final analysis, 31% (13/42) explicitly defined infertility as an inability to conceive after 12 months of unprotected intercourse. Ninety percent (38/42) discussed male infertility evaluation methods, while 71% (30/42) discussed various interventions. Various content creators have adopted YouTube to discuss male infertility, and healthcare practitioners should be aware of YouTube's potential influence on patient understanding of male infertility. Knowledge gaps identified in YTVs can help improve patient counseling and enable practitioners to direct patients to reliable content.
Introduction Erectile dysfunction supplements (ED-Ss) are featured on online marketplaces like Amazon.com, with dedicated pages and claims that they naturally treat ED. However, their efficacy and safety are largely unknown, limiting the ability to counsel patients regarding their use. Aim To evaluate the highest rated and most frequently reviewed ED-Ss on Amazon.com to facilitate patient counseling regarding marketing myths, ingredient profiles, and evidence for product efficacy and safety. Methods The Amazon marketplace was queried using the key term “erectile dysfunction” with default search settings and ranking items based on relevance. The top 6 ED-S products identified on September 29, 2018, were reviewed based on price, ratings, reviews, manufacturer, and ingredients. Consumer reviews were categorized using subtopics within the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) questionnaire to better understand ED-S efficacy and then reanalyzed following filtration of untrustworthy comments using ReviewMeta.com, a proprietary Amazon review analysis software. Outcomes Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of ED-S products sold on Amazon.com. Results The top 6 ED-Ss had an average of 2,121 ± 1,282 reviews and a mean rating of 3.92 ± 0.42 stars. A total of 21 ingredients were identified in these ED-Ss. Ginseng, horny goat weed, L-arginine, and tongkat ali were the most popular ingredients included in the analyzed products. Our literature review identified 413 studies involving the 21 identified ingredients, of which 59 (16%) involved human subjects. Among these 69 human studies, only 12 (17%) investigated supplement ingredients individually and reported improvement in ED. Analysis of top-ranked customer reviews from the first 2 pages of reviews for each supplement revealed differences in IIEF scores before and after ReviewMeta.com filtration. After filtration, we observed a 77% decrease in reviews reporting improved erection strength, an 83% decrease in reviews reporting improved ability to maintain erection, a 90% decrease in reviews reporting increased sexual satisfaction, an 88% decrease in reviews reporting increased enjoyment with intercourse, and an 89% decrease in reviews reporting increased erection confidence. Strengths & Limitations Study strengths include a novel approach to ascertaining consumers’ perceptions and satisfaction with ED-Ss and practical summary information that clinicians can provide to patients. Limitations include selection bias, the small number of supplements analyzed, and the proprietary nature of the Amazon review analysis software. Conclusions Our investigation revealed that human studies evaluating the efficacy of ED-S ingredients are limited and have yielded no definitive findings of the effects on ED. Patients considering ED-S use should receive appropriate counseling, given the prevalence of disingenuous reviews and the ready availability of Food and Drug Administration–approved drug therapies.
Introduction: Testosterone boosting supplements (T-Boosters) are prominently featured on Amazon.com with numerous dedicated pages and claims that they "naturally" increase testosterone levels. Aim: To evaluate the highest rated and frequently reviewed T-Boosters on Amazon.com to facilitate patient counseling regarding marketing myths, T-Booster formulations, and evidence for efficacy and safety. Methods: The Amazon marketplace was queried using the keywords "testosterone" + "booster" with default search settings and ranking items based on relevance. The top 5 T-Boosters identified on July 22, 2018 were reviewed based on price, ratings, reviews, manufacturer details, and ingredients. Consumer reviews were categorized using core themes in the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire as a proxy to understand T-Booster efficacy and reanalyzed following filtration of untrustworthy comments using ReviewMeta.com, a proprietary Amazon customer review analysis software. Outcomes: Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of T-Boosters on Amazon.com. Results: The top 5 T-Boosters had an average ± SD of 2,761 ± 5,112 reviews and a rating of 4.56 ± 0.25 stars. Nineteen unique ingredients were identified across these T-Boosters, and literature review revealed 191 studies involving the 10 most common ingredients, of which 19% involved human subjects, 53% animal models, 15% in vitro studies and 12% case reports or review articles. Amongst 37 human studies, 30% observed an increase in T levels, 3% a decrease, 46% no effect, and 22% were indeterminate. Analysis of top customer reviews from the first two pages of reviews
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