Infodemiology and Infoveillance of Multiple Sclerosis in Italy. (20th August 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bragazzi, Nicola Luigi
• Other Names: Patti Francesco Academic Editor.
• Is Part Of: Multiple sclerosis international. Volume 2013(2013)
• Publication Date: 2013-08-20
• Subjects: Multiple sclerosis -- Periodicals; 616.834005
• DOI: 10.1155/2013/924029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-2654

Abstract

Abstract : Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic debilitating disease of probable autoimmune inflammatory nature, whose aetiology is not fully understood, despite the many efforts and investigations. In this manuscript, we review the concept of "Multiple Sclerosis 2.0", that is to say the Internet usage by MS patients, for seeking health and disease-related material for self-care and self-management purposes, and we introduce a Google Trends-based approach for monitoring MS-related Google queries and searches, called MS infodemiology and infoveillance. Google Trends has already proven to be reliable for infectious diseases monitoring, and here we extend its application and potentiality in the field of neurological disorders.