Evaluating the Quality and Reliability of YouTube Videos Providing Nutritional Recommendations for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate YouTube videos providing nutritional recommendations for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in terms of validity, quality, accuracy and reliability. METHODS: In December 2023, we searched for relevant videos on YouTube using three search terms related to IBS in Turkish. Two independent researchers analysed the content of 64 videos that met the inclusion criteria. Reliability and quality were determined using the m-DISCERN criteria, the Global Quality Scale (GQS), the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) system, the Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI), and the IBS Nutition Scoring System (INSS). RESULTS: The majority of these videos (%67.2) are produced by gastroenterologists, 15.6% by dietitians, and 17.2% by other individuals. The number of views and likes on videos by other individuals was higher compared to the videos of gastroenterologists (p < 0.05). In the comparison across the three groups, no statistically significant differences were found in the mean INSS (p = 0.287) and JAMA scores (p = 0.783). However, significant differences were observed in the mean interaction index (p = 0.029), Video Power Index (VPI) (p = 0.006), m-DISCERN (p < 0.001), GQS (p = 0.002), and VIQI (p < 0.001) scores. GQS scores demonstrated strong positive correlations with both INSS and VIQI scores (r = 0.6528, r = 0.6174, respectively), while showing a moderate correlation with m-DISCERN scores (r = 0.531, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study shows that users prioritise popularity over reliability when seeking nutritional information. Health professionals should create engaging content to ensure accurate information stands out online.