Google Trends terms reporting rhinitis and related topics differ in European countries

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Digital Health
• Public Health

Background:

• Google Trends (GT) data can reflect real-world public interest and epidemiological trends.
• Understanding seasonal variations in allergic rhinitis is crucial for public health management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the utility of Google Trends terms for reporting seasonal variations of allergic rhinitis across European countries.
• To identify common and country-specific search terms related to allergic rhinitis.

Main Methods:

• Comparative analysis of Google Trends search data for allergy and rhinitis-related terms.
• Data collected from European Union countries, Norway, and Switzerland between January 2011 and December 2016.
• Evaluation of annual seasonality and identification of distinct search terms per country.

Main Results:

• Clear annual seasonality in search queries was observed in most European countries, with exceptions in Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Malta.
• Search terms demonstrating seasonality varied by country, including 'hay fever', 'allergy', and 'pollen', indicating cultural differences.
• An awareness-related spike in searches was identified in December 2016.

Conclusions:

• A single set of Google Trends terms is insufficient for consistent reporting of allergy seasonality across all European countries.
• Comparative analysis of allergy seasonality across Europe is feasible using a combination of 'hay fever', 'allergy', and 'pollen' search terms.
• Longitudinal data and multiple terms reveal insights into public awareness of allergic diseases.