A new research paper from Rheumatology Advances in Practice, published by Oxford University Press, reveals that a significant number of TikTok videos on gout deliver inaccurate, contradictory, or outright wrong details.
Gout represents a severely painful type of inflammatory arthritis triggered by elevated levels of urate in the bloodstream. Excess urate can crystallize and deposit in the joints, sparking severe pain, inflammation, and swelling. This condition impacts approximately 41 million individuals globally, with healthcare providers identifying around 7 million fresh diagnoses annually.
Even though gout is so prevalent, both those diagnosed with it and the wider population often possess incomplete knowledge about the disease. Rheumatology associations’ clinical protocols advocate for sustained urate-lowering treatments as the optimal strategy for controlling gout effectively. Nevertheless, a large proportion of patients struggle to keep their gout under proper management.
Social Media’s Expanding Influence on Health Knowledge
Social media platforms have become ubiquitous, reaching nearly 98% of individuals aged 12 and above who engage with at least one site. Those dealing with medical issues are particularly engaged, as 52% of them post or share health-related data online. TikTok distinguishes itself through its enormous global audience of 1.2 billion users, profoundly shaping public perceptions, attitudes, and choices regarding health matters.
For instance, in a poll involving 1,172 women between 18 and 29 years old, about 70% indicated they intentionally seek out health advice on TikTok. An even higher percentage, 92%, admitted to stumbling upon health-related posts on the platform without any prior search intent.
Methodology Behind the Examination of TikTok Gout Videos
In an effort to gauge the quality of content available to viewers, scientists entered the search term “gout” into TikTok’s discover feature and scrutinized the initial 200 videos displayed on December 5, 2024. The primary creators included individuals personally affected by gout or their immediate relatives, comprising 27% of the sample. Healthcare experts contributed 24% of the content, while everyday users made up 23%.
These videos served various purposes: roughly 38% sought to dispense health guidance, 20% recounted personal stories of living with gout, and 19% were geared toward marketing or vending products.
Dietary Recommendations and Supplements Overwhelm Gout Discussions
Close to half, or 45%, of the analyzed videos referenced gout risk factors, predominantly highlighting dietary habits and lifestyle patterns (90% of those mentions). An overwhelming 79% delved into gout management techniques, with nutrition-related suggestions dominating the narrative.
Certain clips outlined specific foods to steer clear of. In one such video, a gout sufferer who had been admitted to the hospital advised audiences that limiting salt, alcohol, and red meat consumption could “reduce your incidences of gout.” A substantial number of videos pushed supplements, natural herbal concoctions, or DIY remedies, often touting them as “pills made from pure herbs, with no hormones and no side effects.”
Evidence-Based Drug Therapies Sidelined in Videos
Prescription drugs received scant attention. Merely seven videos touched on pharmacological interventions for gout, typically emphasizing temporary symptom alleviation through options like steroids or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, including colchicine, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Even more notably, only two clips brought up long-term urate-lowering therapy—the gold-standard, research-backed protocol for gout treatment that rheumatologists endorse wholeheartedly.
Risks of Spreading Dangerous Myths Through Social Media
In summary, the investigators observed that numerous TikTok posts failed to accurately depict urate production mechanisms in the body or the authentic drivers of gout susceptibility. The disease was frequently depicted as primarily stemming from dietary selections that boost urate concentrations.
Although diet and alcohol consumption do contribute to gout risk, they are overshadowed by more potent influences like genetic predispositions, renal functionality, and overall body mass. By zeroing in exclusively on modifiable behaviors, such portrayals risk casting gout as a moral shortcoming or personal lapse, rather than a physiological disorder grounded in biological underpinnings.
Overlooking Chances for Guideline-Driven Gout Management
The researchers behind the study underscore that the bulk of TikTok content on handling gout pushes recommendations that diverge sharply from validated medical standards. While 79% of videos addressed management strategies, diet modifications topped the list at 53%, despite their modest efficacy for sustained control when used in isolation.
Promotion of herbal solutions and nutritional supplements was rampant, with several videos directly hawking items and employing visuals that mimicked professional medical credibility.
Leveraging Platforms to Combat Health Misinformation
TikTok holds tremendous promise as a medium for heightening awareness of conditions like gout and disseminating content that matches clinical best practices, according to the study’s lead author, Samuela ‘Ofanoa. In our digital era, it’s essential for medical practitioners and institutions to capitalize on social media’s reach by producing reliable materials that debunk falsehoods, enhance comprehension of gout, and foster better health outcomes within communities.
