Insights Into Retrograde Cricopharyngeus Dysfunction (R-CPD) Through Analysis of Internet Search Pattern

To assess public awareness and interest in retrograde cricopharyngeus dysfunction (R-CPD) in the United States by analyzing trends in internet search behavior.

Using Google Trends, data from Google Search queries from the United States related to R-CPD between January 2013 to May 2024 were obtained. The means of RSV from 2013 to 2018 were compared to RSV from 2019 (when R-CPD was officially defined) to the present. Comparisons of the RSV means between these two periods were performed using paired t-tests with p value < 0.05 considered statistically significant.

Google Trends data from January 2013 through May 2024 were analyzed for 24 R-CPD-related search terms. Mean RSV values from 2013 to 2018 were compared with those from 2019 to 2024, corresponding to the period following formal description of R-CPD. The mean RSV for "R-CPD" increased by 116% (11.5 ± 3.9 vs. 24.6 ± 15.4; p < 0.002). Significant increases were also observed for related symptom-based queries, including "why can't I burp" (4.3 ± 4.8 vs. 17.6 ± 4.8; p < 0.002), "can't burp" (5.9 ± 1.2 vs. 9.3 ± 1.6; p < 0.002), "need to burp" (35.7 ± 10.0 vs. 61.7 ± 9.9; p < 0.002), and "no burp" (10.9 ± 4.0 vs. 18.4 ± 5.9; p < 0.002). Across all terms, metropolitan areas demonstrated consistently higher RSVs than broader regional areas.

Search interest related to R-CPD has increased significantly since its formal description, suggesting rising public awareness and information-seeking behavior. Higher search volumes in metropolitan areas may reflect increased recognition, access to specialty care, or disease awareness in urban settings.