YouTube as a Reliable Source of Patient Education for Peyronie's Disease: A Quality Assessment Study

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a penile connective tissue disorder characterized by fibrous plaque formation within the tunica albuginea, resulting in penile curvature, pain, deformity, and impaired sexual function. Due to embarrassment and limited awareness, many patients seek health information online, with YouTube becoming a widely used source of medical education. However, the quality and reliability of PD-related YouTube content remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the quality, reliability, and educational value of YouTube videos related to PD and assess their suitability as a patient information resource.

A YouTube search was conducted on May 20, 2026, using five predefined search terms related to PD. The first 20 videos from each search were screened. Videos were included if they were English-language, patient-oriented educational videos lasting between 1 and 20 minutes. Video characteristics were recorded, and content quality was assessed using the DISCERN instrument, Global Quality Scale (GQS), and Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Benchmark Criteria. Statistical analysis included one-sample t-tests and Spearman's rank correlation analysis.

Of 100 screened videos, 12 met the inclusion criteria. The mean video duration was 4:03 ± 3:08 minutes, with a mean of 212,275 ± 440,000 views. The mean total DISCERN score was 51.42 ± 9.59, indicating lower-range good-quality information, with no significant difference from the score of 51, which is the good-quality threshold (p = 0.883). Individual DISCERN domains, compared to the midpoint score of 3, demonstrated statistically significantly higher scores for clarity of aims (3.92 ± 1.08, p = 0.0137), achievement of aims (3.67 ± 0.98, p = 0.0388), and relevance to patients (3.83 ± 0.94, p = 0.0105). The mean GQS score of 2.92 ± 1.38 was consistent with moderate educational quality and did not differ significantly from the reference score of 3 for moderate-quality educational content (p = 0.838). The mean JAMA Benchmark Criteria score was 1.50 ± 1.23, indicating low reliability. No significant correlations were identified between DISCERN, GQS, and JAMA scores.

YouTube videos regarding PD provide generally acceptable but inconsistent educational value and reliability. While many videos effectively address patient concerns, important deficiencies remain in treatment-related information, transparency, and evidence-based content. Patients should be encouraged to critically evaluate online information, and clinicians should guide individuals toward reliable educational resources. Further development of transparent, comprehensive, and patient-centered digital resources is required to improve online education for men with PD.