The Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Illness Perception and Treatment Adherence in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases.

Background/objective: In the wake of the COVID-19 "infodemic," patients increasingly turn to social media (SM) and artificial intelligence (AI) for health information. In regions with unique sociocultural challenges and varying education levels, understanding electronic health literacy (HL) is vital. This study evaluated engagement with and attitudes toward SM/AI among patients with rheumatology conditions to inform patient-centered care.

Methods: We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study at a tertiary outpatient clinic in Monterrey, Mexico, from August 2024 to November 2024. Ninety-five adult patients (median age: 50; 92.6% females) completed a structured questionnaire comprising the eHealth Literacy Scale (eHEALS), the SM Engagement Questionnaire (SMEQ), and the AI Attitude Scale (AIAS-4). Comparisons between age groups (≤45 vs. >45 y) were performed using the χ 2 test and the Mann-Whitney U test ( p < 0.05).

Results: Daily SM use was almost universal (94.7%), and 30.5% had used AI for disease-related questions. Patients aged 45 or younger showed significantly higher electronic HL ( p = 0.010) and engagement with SM ( p < 0.001). Importantly, younger patients were less likely to change their treatment based on SM content compared with older patients ( p = 0.043). Although attitudes toward AI did not vary by age, 84.2% of patients believed their doctors were open to discussing digital information, and 91.6% would use SM if recommended by their physicians.

Conclusions: Digital health literacy significantly influences how patients process online information and manage treatment adherence.