P0924 - Readability of Online Resources About Probiotics and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Mrudula Bandaru, MD¹, Vinay Rao, MD¹, Jessica Antiskay, MPH², Alexandra Ruth, MPH², Alisa Malyavko, MS¹, Jeffrey Y. Wang, BS³, Connor Perlin, BS⁴, Sumona Bhattacharya, MD¹, Marie L.. Borum, MD, MPH, FACG^1
1George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; ²New Jersey Department of Health, Philadelphia, PA; ³The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC; ⁴George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Arlington, VA

Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients are increasingly using probiotics for symptom management. Internet resources are frequently used to obtain information about these often self-managed supplements. However, there are limited studies that have evaluated the readability of online information about probiotics. This study evaluated readability and content of internet information on probiotics that target IBD patients.

Methods: Google search engine was used to query “probiotics and IBD” to access the first 100 websites, excluding those that were inaccessible, duplicates, or videos without transcripts were excluded. Websites were categorized based upon whether patients or healthcare providers (HCP) were targeted. Readability was assessed using the validated Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level (FKGL) and Reading-Ease Score (RES) calculations. The RES ratings were: Professional (0-10), College Graduate (10-30), College (30-50), 10th-12th grade (50-60), 8th-9th grade (60-70), 7th grade (70-80), 6th grade (80-90), and 5th grade (90-100). Content was assessed for discussions regarding shared decision-making (SDM) with HCP and symptom-related quality of life (QOL). Statistical analysis was performed with Fisher’s exact and t-testing with significance set at p< 0.05.

Results: 71 of 100 websites met inclusion criteria. 27 (38.0%) websites were patient-oriented and 44 (62.0%) were provider-oriented. There was a significant difference (p=0.034) between the FKGL for patient-oriented (M=12.31, SD=2.19) vs provider-oriented sites (M=13.56, SD=2.47). The average readability was 25.14 (‘college level’). There was a significant difference (p=0.0004) in the patient RES (M=34.58, SD= 10.32) and HCP RES (M=25.14, SD=10.56). Patient-oriented sites were significantly more likely to discuss SDM (p=0.0001) and physician-oriented sites were significantly more likely to discuss symptom-related QOL (p=0.027).

Discussion: Internet resources addressing IBD and probiotics are readily available. However, website information was of an advanced reading level, exceeding the 6th grade reading level recommended by the AMA and the 8th grade reading level recommended by NIH. Although patient-oriented websites discussed SDM with HCP, there was less discussion about probiotics impacting symptoms and QOL. Physicians must be aware of websites offering information about IBD and probiotics. It is important online resources are developed at suitable reading levels that allow IBD patients to make informed decisions regarding probiotic use.


Disclosures:


Mrudula Bandaru, MD¹, Vinay Rao, MD¹, Jessica Antiskay, MPH², Alexandra Ruth, MPH², Alisa Malyavko, MS¹, Jeffrey Y. Wang, BS³, Connor Perlin, BS⁴, Sumona Bhattacharya, MD¹, Marie L.. Borum, MD, MPH, FACG¹. P0924 - Readability of Online Resources About Probiotics and Inflammatory Bowel Disease, ACG 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Philadelphia, PA: American College of Gastroenterology.