Assessment of online information about osteomyelitis of jaw: An infodemiologic study

Osteomyelitis is a serious inflammatory disease affecting the bone and bone marrow that requires early recognition and management. As the internet and digital platforms increasingly become the primary sources of health-related information for patients, the quality and readability of online content are critical in influencing patient knowledge and decision-making. Despite this, the reliability and accessibility of osteomyelitis related online content remains insufficiently explored.

The aim of this study was to assess the quality and readability of osteomyelitis of the jaw related English websites and to classify them by their institutional affiliation.

A systematic online search was performed using Google search engine. The first 100 search results for 2 different terms were reviewed according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Eligible websites were analyzed using quality assessment tools, including the DISCERN instrument and JAMA benchmarks. Readability was evaluated using (FRES), (FKGL), and SMOG index. Websites were then classified according to their institutional affiliation: commercial, non-profit, medical/dental center, or governmental/university based.

Among the 200 websites screened, 27 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Most were affiliated with medical or dental centers, whereas governmental and university websites represented the lowest proportion. The readability analysis showed that most of the content was written at a complex level, exceeding the commonly recommended 6th to 8th grade level of reading. Additionally, more than half of the analyzed websites did not meet JAMA standards, particularly in terms of transparency and disclosure.

The study's findings revealed significant limitations in the quality and readability of web-based information addressing osteomyelitis. Considering the expanding dependence of patients on online health resources, healthcare providers and academic organizations should actively contribute to creating and promoting reliable, accessible, and evidence-based digital content. Implementing standardized evaluation instruments, including the DISCERN tool and JAMA benchmarks, can help to enhance both credibility and comprehensibility of online health information for public audiences.