Information on surgical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia on YouTube is highly biased and misleading. (6th April 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Betschart, Patrick; Pratsinis, Manolis; Müllhaupt, Gautier; Rechner, Roman; Herrmann, Thomas RW; Gratzke, Christian; Schmid, Hans–Peter; Zumstein, Valentin; Abt, Dominik
• Is Part Of: BJU international. Volume 125:Number 4(2020)
• Page Start: 595
• Page End: 601
• Publication Date: 2020-04-06
• Subjects: lower urinary tract symptoms -- benign prostatic syndrome -- patient information -- social media -- YouTube -- #UroBPH; Genitourinary organs -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Genitourinary organs -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Urology -- Periodicals; 616.6
• DOI: 10.1111/bju.14971
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1464-4096

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To assess the quality of videos on the surgical treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) available on YouTube, given that such video‐sharing platforms are frequently used as sources of patient information and the therapeutic landscape of LUTS/BPH has evolved substantially during recent years. Materials and Methods: A systematic search for videos on YouTube addressing treatment options for LUTS/BPH was performed in May 2019. Measures assessed included basic data (e.g. number of views), grade of misinformation and reporting of conflicts of interest. The quality of content was analysed using the validated DISCERN questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 159 videos with a median (range) of 8570 (648–2 384 391) views were included in the analysis. Only 21 videos (13.2%) were rated as containing no misinformation, 26 (16.4%) were free of commercial bias, and two (1.3%) disclosed potential conflicts of interest. According to DISCERN, the median overall quality of the videos was low (2 out of 5 points for question 16). Only four of the 15 assessed categories (bipolar and holmium laser enucleation of the prostate, transurethral resection of the prostate and patient‐based search terms) were scored as having moderate median overall quality (3 points). Conclusion: Most videos on the surgical treatment of LUTS/BPH on YouTube had a low quality of content, provided misinformation, were subject to commercial bias and did not report on conflicts of interest. These findings emphasize the importance of thorough doctor–patient communication and active recommendation of unbiased patient education materials.