Internet information on xerostomia: what should patients expect?

Area of Science:

• Oral Health
• Digital Health Information
• Health Communication

Background:

• Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth, is a prevalent condition impacting oral health.
• The internet serves as a primary source of health information for many individuals.
• Assessing the quality of online health information is crucial for patient education and care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the qualitative standards of online information concerning xerostomia.
• To analyze the readability, accessibility, usability, and reliability of web pages providing xerostomia information.

Main Methods:

• A systematic search for 'xerostomia' and 'dry mouth' was conducted across four search engines.
• Fifty relevant web pages were analyzed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score and the LIDA instrument.
• Exclusion criteria targeted promotional content, non-English sites, and inaccessible resources.

Main Results:

• Online information on xerostomia exhibited variable quality.
• Websites frequently demanded advanced reading proficiency.
• LIDA scores indicated medium to low levels of accessibility, usability, and reliability.

Conclusions:

• The quality of internet-based xerostomia information is inconsistent.
• Directing patients to evidence-based online resources is recommended.
• Enhancing digital health information can improve oral healthcare standards.