Using Google Trends to investigate global COPD awareness

Abstract

We read the recent article published in the European Respiratory Journal by BOEHM et al. [1] with great interest: their study is the first to explore global chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) awareness using Google searches. Currently, with the development of the internet and search engines, Google Trends has emerged as a robust tool to investigate the interest of the general population in medical conditions [2][3][4]. In the study by BOEHM et al.[1], it was found that the awareness of COPD in the real world is rising, while it is highly under-represented in the public interest compared with other common conditions. In addition, public interest in seeking COPD information through Google searches presented a seasonal pattern, with peaks in the first and the fourth quarter of the year. These findings may help to improve programmes to guide interventions for COPD and contribute to the development of preventative healthcare for this disease.

Public interest in Raynaud's phenomenon: A Google Trends analysis

“…Countries in the Northern hemisphere had higher numbers of RSV according to the rank of the searching strength divided by regions. The top six countries with the most RSV were all from the Northern Hemisphere, which was consistent with other previous research 24,25 . This phenomenon could be explained by the hypothesis that the main developed and the most populous countries were in the Northern hemisphere, and the broad Internet usage or accession in proportional to the amount of Internet traffic might cause bias 26 .…”

“…The top six countries with the most RSV were all from the Northern Hemisphere, which was consistent with other previous research. 24,25 This phenomenon could be explained by the hypothesis that the main developed and the most populous countries were in the Northern hemisphere, and the broad Internet usage or accession in proportional to the amount of Internet traffic might cause bias. 26 Besides, a country or region with higher latitude may have RSV far more than average, for they have a lower temperature, which may be important precipitating factors of Raynaud's phenomenon.…”

Public Interest in Raynaud’s Phenomenon: A Google Trends Analysis

“…The top 6 countries with the most RSV were all from the Northern Hemisphere, which was consistent with other previous research. [21,22] This phenomenon could be explained by the hypothesis that the main developed and the most populous countries were in the Northern hemisphere, and the broad Internet usage or accession in proportional to the amount of Internet tra c might cause a bias. [23] Besides, a country or region with higher latitude may have RSV far more than average, for they have a lower temperature, which may be important precipitating factors of the Raynaud's phenomenon.…”