Quality Assessment of Online Health Information on Thyroid Cancer in the Arabic Language: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Abstract

Introduction The internet is a crucial source of health information, including cancer-related topics, but the quality and reliability of these resources can vary, affecting patient decision-making. Objectives This study aimed to evaluate the quality of thyroid cancer-related websites in the Arabic language, using the DISCERN tool, and explore the content and sources provided by different types of websites. Methods A total of 78 websites were included after excluding 21 based on predefined criteria (e.g., duplicates, non-functional uniform resource locators (URLs)). The websites were categorized into commercial, non-profit, and individual types. Two independent reviewers assessed the websites using the DISCERN tool. Interrater agreement was measured using the k-score. A one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare DISCERN scores across website types, and Spearman's rank correlation was used to analyze the relationship between website ranking and DISCERN scores. Results Almost all websites included a definition of thyroid cancer. Additionally, 15 websites (19.2%) covered the definition, clinical presentation, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment, while 14 websites (17.9%) offered only clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment, and 11 websites (14.1%) offered other combinations of similar content. However, there was a lack of information regarding prognosis and predictors of outcomes following thyroid cancer surgery. The average overall DISCERN score for the 78 websites was 42.65 ± 12.35. Statistically significant differences were found in DISCERN scores across website types, with non-profit websites scoring the highest (38.93 ± 14.12), followed by commercial (37.67 ± 10.34) and individual websites (28.63 ± 10.02). A significant negative correlation was also found between website rank and DISCERN scores (Spearman's r = -0.38, p < 0.0001). Conclusion The study found that non-profit websites provide higher-quality thyroid cancer information compared to commercial and individual sites. Website ranking also affects content quality, emphasizing the importance of patients assessing online resources critically. Health organizations are encouraged to improve the visibility and quality of trustworthy information.