The Use of Internet for Allergic Diseases: Which One is the First Step: Specialists or Google?

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Allergic diseases are one of the most common health problems worldwide affecting all ages and a popular topic on the internet. The aim of this study was to determine the tendency of internet use by those patients with allergic diseases and the parents of children with allergies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in two parts for pediatric and adult allergic patients, in two tertiary care academic hospitals in Northern Cyprus. Participants were recruited from adult patients and the parents of allergic children attending the outpatient clinics and the assessment of participants perspectives on internet use were evaluated by a written questionnaire. RESULTS: Four hundred and fifty-two participants; 259 adults and 193 parents of pediatric patients were enrolled into the study. The only statistically significant parameter for the relation with internet use is the “age of patients”. In the adult group; younger patients (below the age 35) used internet sources more frequently. In the pediatric group “age of disease onset” was analyzed with cut-off points of 6 months of age and 12 months of age, with both of them having statistically significant p-values of 0.003 and 0.000 respectively. The type of allergic disease had no association with internet use in either group. CONCLUSION: This study reported the only statistically significant factor associated with internet use is age for adult patients and age of onset for pediatric allergies. We would like to highlight the need for evidence-based online information for parents especially for the allergies concerning the first year of life.