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. 2023 Sep;43(9):3149-3155.
doi: 10.1007/s10792-023-02714-1. Epub 2023 Apr 18.

Analysis of google trends and search results for ophthalmic symptoms of monkeypox

Aretha Zhu  1 , Jasmine Mahajan  1 , Marko K Oydanich  1 , Michael C Luo  2 , Albert S Khouri  3
Affiliations

Analysis of google trends and search results for ophthalmic symptoms of monkeypox

Aretha Zhu et al. Int Ophthalmol. 2023 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose: In July 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared monkeypox virus's global spread a "public health emergency of international concern." About a quarter of monkeypox cases feature ophthalmic symptoms. We assessed trends in worldwide search interest in monkeypox ophthalmic involvement and inclusion in online search engine queries.

Methods: The following keywords were searched on Google Trends from April 1, 2022, to August 12, 2022: monkeypox + eye, pink eye, eye infection, eyelid, vision, blurry vision, vision loss, blindness, eye symptoms, eye problems, eye pain, eye redness, conjunctivitis, conjunctiva, cornea, keratitis, corneal ulcer, and blepharitis. We analyzed trends, correlated search interest with case count data, and compared popularity of search terms via nonparametric Mann-Whitney-U analysis. Inclusion of ophthalmic symptoms in Google search results for "monkeypox symptoms" was assessed.

Results: "Monkeypox eye" had the highest average search interest worldwide and in the United States. Search interest peaked between mid-May and late July 2022. When compared to interest in "monkeypox rash," the most searched monkeypox symptom, the average interest in "monkeypox eye" was lower (p < 0.01). Of the first 50 results from the Google search of "monkeypox symptoms," 10/50 (20%) mentioned ophthalmic symptoms. 6/50 (12%) mentioned the eye as a route of virus transmission.

Conclusion: Search interest in monkeypox ophthalmic symptoms corresponds with geographic and temporal trends, i.e., timing and location of the first reported non-endemic cases and WHO announcement. Although ophthalmic symptoms are not as widely searched currently, inclusion in public health messaging is key for diagnosis, appropriate management, and reduction of further transmission.

Keywords: Google Trends; Infodemiology; Monkeypox; Patient education; Public health.

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Conflict of interest statement

Disclosures for Albert S. Khouri include grant support from Allergan, Optovue, NJ Health Foundation; consultant for Glaukos; and speakers bureau for Aerie, Allergan, Bausch & Lomb. No conflicting relationship exists for the remaining authors.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Worldwide a and United States b popularity of search terms related to ophthalmic monkeypox is demonstrated. Of note, the terms “eye” and “blindness” had significant peaks in searches related to monkeypox ophthalmic symptoms. The first word of each search term, “monkeypox,” is omitted in the figure legend
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Search queries of “monkeypox eye” and other monkeypox symptoms, including the most popularly searched symptom “monkeypox rash,” were compared. The first word of each search term, “monkeypox,” is omitted in the figure legend
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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