[Gluten: Is the information available on the Internet valid?]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Web Science
• Health Informatics

Background:

• Internet access to health information is widespread but variable in quality and validity.
• Evaluating online resources for specific dietary conditions is essential for public health.
• Celiac disease (CD), gluten sensitivity (GS), and wheat allergy (WA) are conditions with significant online information presence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the structural quality and informational accuracy of websites concerning CD, GS, and WA.
• To compare website content against established European Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (ESPGHAN) and World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) guidelines.

Main Methods:

• Searched Google, Yahoo, and Bing for CD, GS, and WA information, analyzing the top results.
• Utilized the Netscoring instrument to evaluate website structure and assessed for Health On the Net (HON code) certification.
• Content analysis based on 2012 ESPGHAN and WGO guidelines, classifying websites into eight categories.

Main Results:

• 105 websites were analyzed; only 21 met a sufficient Netscoring threshold.
• A significant correlation was found between Netscoring results and website type (scientific societies, community sites, associations).
• Critically, only three websites demonstrated full consistency with current CD, GS, and WA guidelines.

Conclusions:

• Online information on CD, GS, and WA is only partially aligned with established medical guidelines.
• The quality of website structure and content varies significantly.
• Pediatricians remain the primary source for accurate parental guidance on gluten-related disorders.