Two independent reviewers evaluated video quality using the Armstrong Viewer Assessment (AVA) and the validated DISCERN instrument.12,13 Possible DISCERN scores range from 16-26 (very poor), 27-38 (poor), 39-50 (fair), 51-62 (good), and 63-75 (excellent).12 AVA scores range from 0 (very poor) to 4 (very good).13
Linear regressions were conducted to compare engagement, DISCERN, and AVA scores among different uploader types. Three linear regressions were performed to compare one uploader type to the other uploader types combined (eg, physician-uploaded videos were compared to videos uploaded by non-physicians and private companies combined).
RESULTS
Overall, 91 TikTok videos were analyzed. Most videos (82.4%) were uploaded by non-physicians, 6.6% by dermatologists, and 11.0% by private companies (Table 1). The average DISCERN and AVA scores were 36.2 and 1.6, respectively (poor quality). Lower scores signify worse quality, while higher scores signify better quality. The most mentioned HS treatments and CAM therapies are listed in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. Common CAM therapies were natural salves, turmeric, Epsom salts, elimination diets, and zinc supplements (Table 3).
Compared to videos uploaded by physicians and private companies, non-physician videos did not differ in viewer engagement (P=0.548) or quality (DISCERN score: P=0.547, AVA score:
P=0.293; Table 4). Compared to videos uploaded by non-physicians and private companies, physician-uploaded videos did not differ in viewer engagement (P=0.550); video quality was significantly higher with an average DISCERN and AVA score of 44.3 (P<0.009) and 2.6 (P<0.001), respectively (fair quality) (Tables 1, 5). Compared to physicians and non-physicians, private company videos did not differ in viewer engagement (P=0.227) or quality (DISCERN score: P=0.193, AVA score: P=0.211; Table 6).
