Can crowdsourced data help to optimize atopic dermatitis treatment? Comparing web search data and environmental data in Germany

Abstract

Background Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common chronic skin diseases worldwide, showing various manifestations and having a severe impact on quality of life. As previous studies demonstrated, internet search analysis can help identify public interest in diseases and possible influencing factors on search behavior. Objective To identify AD‐related topics of interest in Germany using internet search volume. Methods Google Ads Keyword Planner was used to identify AD‐related search terms including their search volume in Germany on a national level as well as in 16 selected cities from January 2016 to December 2019. Identified keywords were qualitatively analyzed, and temporal trends as well as the influence of seasonal and environmental factors on search volume were assessed. Results Overall, 1222 AD‐related search terms with a search volume of 8 842 360 searches were identified. An increase from 2016 to 2019 and seasonal peaks from January to April of each year were observed. Nationwide, the search volume correlated with mean monthly temperature and sun duration. With increasing temperature and sun duration, a significant decrease in search queries was observed. The most populated cities showed the lowest number of searches per 100 000 inhabitants (Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich). In the eight categories formed (comorbidities, general, influential factors, localization, stage of life, symptoms/severity, therapy/information, and questions on AD), the highest proportion of search queries were assigned to the category “therapy/information” in most cities. In this category, a focus on the topics of “alternative medicine” and “home remedies“ could be observed. Conclusion The overall high and increasing search volume indicates a high interest in AD‐related topics, especially regarding treatment and disease education. Information provided by internet search volume analyses can optimize AD therapy and patient‐centered care by providing insight into patient needs and predicting potential climatic trigger factors.

Seasonal Patterns and Trends in Dermatoses in Poland

“…The search behavior patterns using Google Trends have been studied previously in the context of dermatologically related topics such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, chilblains, cutaneous infestations with arthropods, hair loss and human papilloma virus [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 ]. We prepared a table that compares the clinical symptoms of common dermatological disorders, their seasonality based on the previous literature and our research ( Table 2 ).…”

“…Moreover, some patients may not know the abbreviation for atopic dermatitis, which is AD. Interestingly, between 2016 and 2019, an uptrend in searches regarding atopic dermatitis was noticed in Germany [ 34 ]. The evident seasonality of searches, with an increased rate during colder months, may suggest that the needs of patients with atopic dermatitis are unmet during periods with lower temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels [ 34 ].…”

“…Interestingly, between 2016 and 2019, an uptrend in searches regarding atopic dermatitis was noticed in Germany [ 34 ]. The evident seasonality of searches, with an increased rate during colder months, may suggest that the needs of patients with atopic dermatitis are unmet during periods with lower temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) radiation levels [ 34 ]. Unfortunately, a downtrend has been shown for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) (chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis).…”

Eczema-related Web Search Data in Sweden: Investigating Search Patterns and the Influence of Weather

“…A retrospective longitudinal study using Google Ads Keyword Planner was conducted to identify the web search volume of keywords related to eczema in all Swedish counties (n = 21). This tool is primarily used for marketing campaigns, but several studies have leveraged web search data to investigate disease-related factors among the general population (5,12,(16)(17)(18). In the current study, the Swedish word "eksem" (eczema) was entered into the tool because it is the word mainly used by the Swedish population to refer to AE.…”

“…In Sweden the search volume per 100,000 inhabitants was greater than twice that in Germany (17). One explanation for the higher relative search volume in Sweden may be the higher disease burden: in 2019, a DALY rate of AE of 131.45 per 100,000 people was reported for Sweden and 115.44 for Germany (22).…”