Faina Linkov1, Dana H Bovbjerg2, Kyle E Freese3, Ramesh Ramanathan4, George Michel Eid4, William Gourash5. 1. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Electronic address: faina.linkov@gmail.com. 2. University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 3. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, & Reproductive Sciences, Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 4. Division of General Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery may prove an effective weight loss option for those struggling with severe obesity, but it is difficult to determine levels of interest in such procedures at the population level through traditional approaches. Analysis of Google Trend information may give providers and healthcare systems useful information regarding Internet users' interest in bariatric procedures. The objective of this study was to gather Google Trend information on worldwide Internet searches for "bariatric surgery", "gastric bypass", "gastric sleeve", "gastric plication", and "lap band" from 2004-2012 and to explore temporal relationships with relevant media events, economic variations, and policy modifications. METHODS: Data were collected using Google Trends. Trend analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel Version 14.3.5 and Minitab V.16.0. RESULTS: Trend analyses showed that total search volume for the term "bariatric surgery" has declined roughly 25% since January 2004, although interest increased approximately 5% from 2011 to 2012. Interest in lap band procedures declined 30% over the past 5 years, while "gastric sleeve" has increased 15%. Spikes in search numbers show an association with events such as changing policy and insurance guidelines and media coverage for bariatric procedures. CONCLUSION: This report illustrates that variations in Internet search volume for terms related to bariatric surgery are multifactorial in origin. Although it is impossible to ascertain if reported Internet search volume is based on interest in potentially undergoing bariatric surgery or simply general interest, this analysis reveals that search volume appears to mirror real world events. Therefore, Google Trends could be a way to supplement understanding about interest in bariatric procedures.
BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery may prove an effective weight loss option for those struggling with severe obesity, but it is difficult to determine levels of interest in such procedures at the population level through traditional approaches. Analysis of Google Trend information may give providers and healthcare systems useful information regarding Internet users' interest in bariatric procedures. The objective of this study was to gather Google Trend information on worldwide Internet searches for "bariatric surgery", "gastric bypass", "gastric sleeve", "gastric plication", and "lap band" from 2004-2012 and to explore temporal relationships with relevant media events, economic variations, and policy modifications. METHODS: Data were collected using Google Trends. Trend analyses were performed using Microsoft Excel Version 14.3.5 and Minitab V.16.0. RESULTS: Trend analyses showed that total search volume for the term "bariatric surgery" has declined roughly 25% since January 2004, although interest increased approximately 5% from 2011 to 2012. Interest in lap band procedures declined 30% over the past 5 years, while "gastric sleeve" has increased 15%. Spikes in search numbers show an association with events such as changing policy and insurance guidelines and media coverage for bariatric procedures. CONCLUSION: This report illustrates that variations in Internet search volume for terms related to bariatric surgery are multifactorial in origin. Although it is impossible to ascertain if reported Internet search volume is based on interest in potentially undergoing bariatric surgery or simply general interest, this analysis reveals that search volume appears to mirror real world events. Therefore, Google Trends could be a way to supplement understanding about interest in bariatric procedures.
Authors: Serdar Kirmizi; Cuneyt Kayaalp; Servet Karagul; Ali Tardu; Ismail Ertugrul; Fatih Sumer; Mehmet Ali Yagci Journal: Wideochir Inne Tech Maloinwazyjne Date: 2017-03-15 Impact factor: 1.195