Background: The data retrieved with the online search engine, Google Trends, can summarize internet inquiries into specified search terms. This engine may be used for analyzing inquiry peaks for different medical conditions and symptoms.
Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze World Wide Web interest peaks for "ear pain," "ear infection," and "ear drops."
Methods: We used Google Trends to assess the public online interest for search terms "ear pain," "ear infection," and "ear drops" in 5 English and non-English-speaking countries from both hemispheres based on time series data. We performed our analysis for the time frame between January 1, 2004, and December 31, 2019. First, we assessed whether our search terms were most relevant to the topics of ear pain, ear infection, and ear drops. We then tested the reliability of Google Trends time series data using the intraclass correlation coefficient. In a second step, we computed univariate time series plots to depict peaks in web-based interest. In the last step, we used the cosinor analysis to test the statistical significance of seasonal interest peaks.
Results: In the first part of the study, it was revealed that "ear infection," "ear pain," and "ear drops" were the most relevant search terms in the noted time frame. Next, the intraclass correlation analysis showed a moderate to excellent reliability for all 5 countries' 3 primary search terms. The subsequent analysis revealed winter interest peaks for "ear infection" and "ear pain". On the other hand, the World Wide Web search for "ear drops" peaked annually during the summer months. All peaks were statistically significant as revealed by the cosinor model (all P values <.001).
Conclusions: It can be concluded that individuals affected by otitis media or externa, possibly the majority, look for medical information online. Therefore, there is a need for accurate and easily accessible information on these conditions in the World Wide Web, particularly on differentiating signs and therapy options. Meeting this need may facilitate timely diagnosis, proper therapy, and eventual circumvention of potentially life-threatening complications.
Keywords: Google Trends; infodemic; infodemiology; infoveillance; otalgia; otitis externa; otitis media; social listening.
©Faris F Brkic, Gerold Besser, Martin Schally, Elisabeth M Schmid, Thomas Parzefall, Dominik Riss, David T Liu. Originally published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research (https://www.jmir.org), 24.06.2021.