Evaluating the Quality of TikTok Videos on Vitiligo: A Cross-Sectional Study

Vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder causing skin depigmentation, significantly impacts quality of life. With over 1 billion users, TikTok has become a major platform for health information dissemination. However, its engagement-driven algorithm raises concerns about misinformation. This study evaluates the accuracy of the most-liked vitiligo-related TikTok videos and examines the platform's role in health education.

We retrieved TikTok videos using "#Vitiligo" and analyzed the first 100 videos that met inclusion criteria. Videos were categorized into healthcare providers (HP) and non-healthcare providers (NHP). Content characteristics and engagement metrics were extracted. Three independent reviewers assessed quality using multiple assessment tools-Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), and Global Quality Score (GQS). A novel tool, V-TRACE, was developed to evaluate (1) clinical aspects (pathophysiology, clinical presentation, treatment, and autoimmune comorbidities) and (2) social aspects (body image and representation of people of color).

Of 100 videos analyzed, 25% were from HP, demonstrating significantly higher quality across all metrics. HP videos focused on education (96% vs. 20%, p < 0.01) and scored higher on mDISCERN (2.66 vs. 1.66, p < 0.01), GQS (2.66 vs. 1.6, p < 0.01), and VIQI (12.33 vs. 10.00, p < 0.01). NHP produced 75% of videos, received higher engagement (p = 0.04), and had a more positive tone (30.7% vs. 12%, p = 0.05).

Vitiligo-related TikTok content lacks reliability. HPs produce higher-quality content, while NHPs dominate engagement and potentially spread misinformation. There is a need for more evidence-based, engaging content to improve patient education on the platform.