Public Perceptions of Pressure Ulcers: A 10-Year Analysis of YouTube Comment Sentiment and Engagement Trends (Preprint)

BACKGROUND In recent years, user-generated content on social media platforms has become a prominent source of health information. YouTube, with its global reach and audiovisual content, plays a significant role in shaping public discourse on medical conditions. Despite this, little is known about how chronic wounds such as pressure ulcers are represented and perceived on this platform. OBJECTIVE Pressure ulcers are serious complications in immobilized patients, leading to morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and significant healthcare costs. Understanding public perceptions is critical for improving education and awareness. This study aimed to examine ten-year trends in public engagement, lexical patterns, and sentiment in YouTube comments related to pressure ulcers. METHODS A retrospective analysis was performed on YouTube videos uploaded between 2015 and 2025 using predefined keywords (“pressure ulcer,” “bed sore,” “decubitus ulcer”). From 161 eligible videos, 1,368 user comments were extracted and preprocessed using natural language processing techniques. Annual trends in video uploads, comment counts, and word counts were analyzed. Lexical analysis identified frequently used terms, while sentiment analysis categorized comments as positive, neutral, or negative. Statistical tests evaluated seasonal and temporal variations. RESULTS Public engagement increased over time, peaking in 2024 for video uploads and in 2025 for comments (n = 332) and total word count (n = 8,928). “Wound” (n = 163), “thank” (n = 162), and “good” (n = 81) were the most frequent words. Positive sentiment declined from nearly 50% in 2018 to under 40% in 2024, while neutral sentiment rose to dominate from 2021 (56% in 2025). Seasonal differences in engagement or sentiment were not significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS This decade-long analysis highlights increasing YouTube discourse on pressure ulcers, with a shift toward neutral, information-focused commentary. These findings underscore the platform’s potential to support patient education and caregiver awareness.