Internet information on rheumatoid arthritis: an evaluation

To evaluate the quality of internet information, readily accessible by the public, relating to rheumatoid arthritis and to investigate the relationship between financial interests of websites and the quality of information provided.

Five well-known search engines on the internet were investigated in an attempt to replicate a search undertaken by a typical patient. The phrase 'rheumatoid arthritis' was used for each search and the first 20 results were evaluated. Each site was evaluated in terms of 'general website criteria' and 'specific criteria' in relation to rheumatoid arthritis. The websites were scored out of 30.

Fifty-five websites were evaluated. The mean total quality score was 12.15 (SD = 6.53) and 40 sites (72.7%) scored < 50% of the total marks available. Information about authorship, ownership and currency were missing in more than 75% (n = 42) of cases; only 20% (n = 11) of sites gave clear references to scientific literature; 64% (n = 35) of sites were judged to have a financial interest and these scored significantly lower total quality scores compared to the informative sites (p = <0.01). Information about the role of physiotherapy in the management of rheumatoid arthritis was absent in 70.9% (n = 39).

The internet is a poor source of information for rheumatoid arthritis patients. Quality information is scarce and finding it is time-consuming. Guidelines are needed to regulate information that is published on the internet and define who is eligible to publish it. Until then the internet should not be recommended as a single source of patient information unless professionally endorsed websites are recommended.