A Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Quality and Readability of Social Media Content on Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a significant cause of chronic kidney disease worldwide. With the increase in internet use in recent decades, patients frequently turn to social media to learn about their diseases. This study assesses the quality and readability of health-related YouTube (YT) videos and Instagram posts about ADPKD.

Methods: Videos and posts were identified using the terms “Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease” and #AutosomalDominantPolycysticKidneyDisease. Fifty-four YT videos were assessed using Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), modified DISCERN (M-DISCERN), and Video Power Index scores, while 37 Instagram posts were evaluated for readability via the Flesch Reading Ease score.

Results: Results indicated that most YT videos had low JAMA and M-DISCERN scores, reflecting poor quality and reliability. Videos by medical professionals scored higher in quality assessments but did not correlate with the Video Power Index. Instagram posts, predominantly shared by dietitians, focused on dietary information and had higher readability scores than those shared by doctors.

Conclusion: The findings highlight a gap between the popularity and reliability of social media content on ADPKD, emphasizing the need for healthcare professionals and organizations to provide accurate and accessible educational materials on these platforms.

Cite this article as: Koc NS. A cross-sectional analysis of the quality and readability of social media content on autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Turk J Nephrol. 2025;34(2):102-107.