ArticleCureus2023
Hirschsprung Disease: A Literacy Analysis of Patient Information.
Article in Cureus, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
1 citing paper in PubMed.
- Precision minimally invasive strategy for Hirschsprung's disease: from anatomical resection to whole-cycle functional management-a review.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveHirschsprung disease in newborns can be a potentially life-threatening condition, with risks for complications such as Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis. Accessing health information in a readable format for complex diseases demonstrates an important outlet for families to address concerns. While it is important to seek out information from trusted providers, many individuals seek out ways to educate themselves further by using common search engines and turning to the internet. This article will evaluate the readability of relevant articles on Hirschsprung disease and information accessibility to the average health literacy individual.
methodsA readability analysis of the first 20 Google search results from the keywords "Hirschsprung disease" and "aganglionic megacolon" was performed. Results were documented and averaged using standardized scoring systems. Scoring systems included an Automated Readability Index, Coleman Liau index, SMOG index, Gunning Fog score, Flesch Kinkaid grade level, Flesch Kinkaid reading ease, and average readability across all scoring systems. The number of sentences, number of words, number of complex words, percent of complex words, average words per sentence, and average syllables per word were included as a sample of criteria within scoring systems.
resultsThe average readability score for the first 20 search results of keywords "Hirschsprung disease" and "aganglionic megacolon" was 9.4, indicating a reading level just above the ninth grade. Readability ease was scored separately due to its unique scoring system on a scale of 0-100. Flesch Kincaid Readability ease score was averaged and resulted in a score of 46.4, which is considered "college level" or "difficult."
conclusionsThe average health consumer will turn to Google to find information about their own health, as well as the health of their loved ones. Hirschsprung disease in newborns presents a complex disease process and can be potentially life-threatening. Current resources available to the average health consumer averaged at a grade level of 9.4 relative to search results from keywords "Hirschsprung disease" and "aganglionic megacolon." Depending on the target audience for online information, more work needs to be done to improve readability for the average health information consumer.
Indexed as
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.