Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Hidradenitis Suppurativa Discussed on TikTok: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

March 2024 | Volume 23 | Issue 3 | e93 | Copyright © March 2024


Published online February 19, 2024

Hannah Peterson BSa, Paige Kingston BSb, Kathryn Lee BAc, Danielle Yee MDb, Margaret Y. Huang BSb, Edwin Korouri BSd, Rosario Aguero MDe, April W. Armstrong MD MPHb

aLoma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA 
bKeck School of Medicine of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 
cSaint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO 
dRosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Chicago Medical School, North Chicago, IL 
eKeck School of Medicine, Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA

the gut microbiome and decrease inflammation by removing dietary triggers.17 

Overall, the TikTok videos were poor in quality (low DISCERN and AVA scores); videos did not explain the treatment mechanism of action, risks associated with treatment, supporting evidence, or treatment alternatives. While physician-uploaded videos were significantly higher quality than other uploader types, their average quality was only fair because they did not consistently discuss how treatments worked, provide supporting evidence, or refer to remaining gaps in knowledge. Because most video uploaders were non-physicians, great potential exists for dermatologists to use TikTok to discuss HS.11 They can utilize this opportunity well by creating videos that adequately discuss the supporting evidence, mechanisms of action, and remaining questions for HS treatments. 

DISCLOSURES

Authors HP, PK, KL, DY, MYH, EK, and RA have no conflicts of interest to declare. AWA has served as a research investigator, scientific advisor, or speaker to AbbVie, Amgen, Almirall, Arcutis, ASLAN, Beiersdorf, BI, BMS, EPI, Incyte, Leo, UCB, Janssen, Lilly, Mindera, Nimbus, Novartis, Ortho, Sun, Dermavant, Dermira, Sanofi, Takeda, Organon, Regeneron, Pfizer and Ventyx.

REFERENCES

  1. Yesantharao LV, Suresh R, Lerman SF, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa reddit support group: finding new meaning in social media during the covid-19 pandemic. J Burn Care Res. 2023:44(2):373-380. doi:10.1093/jbcr/irac183 
  2. Scala E, Cacciapuoti S, Garzorz-Stark N, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa: where we are and where we are going. Cells. 2021;10(8). doi:10.3390/ cells10082094 
  3. Macklis PC, Tyler K, Kaffenberger J, et al. Lifestyle modifications associated with symptom improvement in hidradenitis suppurativa patients. Arch Dermatol Res. Apr 2022;314(3):293-300. doi:10.1007/s00403-021-02233-y 
  4. Price KN, Collier EK, Grogan T, et al. Physician perspectives on complementary and alternative medicine in hidradenitis suppurativa. Dermatol Ther. 2021;34(2) 
  5. Price KN, Thompson AM, Rizvi O, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine use in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa. JAMA. 2020;156(3): 345-348. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2019.4595 
  6. Kearney N, Byrne N, Kirby B, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine use in hidradenitis suppurativa. Br J Dermatol. 2020;182(2):484-485. doi:10.1111/bjd.18426 
  7. Golbari NM, Porter ML, Kimball AB. Online communications among hidradenitis suppurativa patients reflect community needs. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2019;80(6):1760-1762. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2018.08.031 
  8. Fisher S, Jehassi A, Ziv M. Hidradenitis suppurativa on Facebook: thematic and content analyses of patient support group. Arch Dermatol Res. 2020;312(6):421-426. doi:10.1007/s00403-019-02027-3 
  9. Lukac D, Pagani K, Yi J, et al. Consulting 'Dr YouTube': a content analysis of YouTube® videos related to hidradenitis suppurativa treatments. Clin Exp Dermatol. 2022;47(3)doi:10.1111/ced.15017 
  10. Li W, Ma JE, Chan AA, et al. Hidradenitis suppurativa through the lens of YouTube: A cross-sectional analysis. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2021;84(5):1398- 1399. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.05.148
  11. Szeto MD, Mamo A, Afrin A, et al. Social Media in dermatology and an overview of popular social media platforms. Curr Dermatol Rep. 2021;10(4): 97-104. doi:10.1007/s13671-021-00343-4 
  12. Charnock D, Shepperd S, Needham G, et al. DISCERN: an instrument for judging the quality of written consumer health information on treatment choices. J Epidemiol Community Health. 1999;53(2):105-111. doi:10.1136/ jech.53.2.105 
  13. Chen AY, Azizi B, Borba AJ, et al. Rosacea videos on social media: A comparison of accuracy, quality, and viewer engagement. Dermatol Online J. 2021;27(2):13030/qt55c0g9wz. doi:10.5070/d3272052381 
  14. Polefka TG, Bianchini RJ, Shapiro S. Interaction of mineral salts with the skin: a literature survey. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2012;34(5):416-23. doi:10.1111/j.1468- 2494.2012.00731.x 
  15. Kurek-Gorecka A, Gorecki M, Rzepecka-Stojko A, et al. Bee products in dermatology and skin care. Molecules. 2020;25(3):556. doi:10.3390/ molecules25030556 
  16. Zhang HA, Kitts DD. Turmeric and its bioactive constituents trigger cell signaling mechanisms that protect against diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Mol Cell Biochem. 2021;476(10):3785-3814. doi:10.1007/s11010- 021-04201-6 
  17. Silfvast-Kaiser A, Youssef R, Paek SY. Diet in hidradenitis suppurativa: a review of published and lay literature. Int J Dermatol. 2019;58(11):1225-1230. doi:10.1111/ijd.14465 
  18. Molinelli E, Brisigotti V, Campanati A, et al. Efficacy of oral zinc and nicotinamide as maintenance therapy for mild/moderate hidradenitis suppurativa: A controlled retrospective clinical study. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2020;83(2):665-667. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2020.04.092 

AUTHOR CORRESPONDENCE

April W. Armstrong MD MPH armstrongpublication@gmail.com
Close Menu