Biomaterial Database

Scratching the surface: a review of online misinformation and conspiracy theories in atopic dermatitis. 2021

C O'Connor, and M Murphy

Department of Dermatology, South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork, Ireland.

Misinformation is one of the greatest threats to global health. Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common skin disorder with a complex multifactorial aetiology, rendering it susceptible to misinformation. Little is known about the content of misinformation regarding AD online. We performed a review of AD-related misinformation available online, via PubMed for scientific papers and Google for nonscientific websites. Key areas of misinformation were identified, including 'simple cures' for AD, diet, chemicals, dust, vaccines, red skin syndrome and alternative therapies. Patients with AD and their families are vulnerable to misinformation given the severe impact of AD on quality of life. Dermatologists must be aware of the false AD-related content being shared online, and be prepared to refute and rebut misinformation by providing appropriate evidence.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D010353	Patient Education as Topic	The teaching or training of patients concerning their own health needs.	Education of Patients,Education, Patient,Patient Education
D010819	Physician's Role	The expected function of a member of the medical profession.	Physicians' Role,Physician Role,Physician's Roles,Physicians Role,Physicians' Roles,Role, Physician's,Role, Physicians',Roles, Physician's,Roles, Physicians'
D011788	Quality of Life	A generic concept reflecting concern with the modification and enhancement of life attributes, e.g., physical, political, moral, social environment as well as health and disease.	HRQOL,Health-Related Quality Of Life,Life Quality,Health Related Quality Of Life
D003142	Communication	The exchange or transmission of ideas, attitudes, or beliefs between individuals or groups.	Miscommunication,Misinformation,Social Communication,Communication Programs,Communications Personnel,Personal Communication,Communication Program,Communication, Personal,Communication, Social,Communications, Social,Miscommunications,Misinformations,Personnel, Communications,Program, Communication,Programs, Communication,Social Communications
D003876	Dermatitis, Atopic	A chronic inflammatory genetically determined disease of the skin marked by increased ability to form reagin (IgE), with increased susceptibility to allergic rhinitis and asthma, and hereditary disposition to a lowered threshold for pruritus. It is manifested by lichenification, excoriation, and crusting, mainly on the flexural surfaces of the elbow and knee. In infants it is known as infantile eczema.	Eczema, Atopic,Eczema, Infantile,Neurodermatitis, Atopic,Neurodermatitis, Disseminated,Atopic Dermatitis,Atopic Eczema,Atopic Neurodermatitis,Disseminated Neurodermatitis,Infantile Eczema
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000072085	Dermatologists	Physicians who specialize in treating disorders of the skin.	Dermatologist
D054626	Consumer Health Information	Information intended for potential users of medical and healthcare services. There is an emphasis on self-care and preventive approaches as well as information for community-wide dissemination and use.	Health Information, Consumer,Information, Consumer Health
D061108	Social Media	Platforms that provide the ability and tools to create and publish information accessed via the INTERNET. Generally these platforms have three characteristics with content user generated, high degree of interaction between creator and viewer, and easily integrated with other sites.	Folksonomy,Mobile Social Media,Mobile Social Networks,Social Media Messaging,Social Tagging,Social Medium,Twitter Messaging,Web 2.0,Folksonomies,Media Messaging, Social,Media, Social,Messaging, Social Media,Messaging, Twitter,Mobile Social Medias,Mobile Social Network,Social Media Messagings,Social Media, Mobile,Social Network, Mobile,Social Taggings,Tagging, Social,Web 2.0s