ArticlemHealth2024
Exploring online health resources and self-care among irritable bowel syndrome patients: analyzing internet use and AI chatbot interactions.
Article in mHealth, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
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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.
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Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Consumer and Patient Health Information Seeking With Generative AI Tools: Scoping Review of Facilitators and Barriers.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Article
- New eHealth Users After COVID-19: Adoption and Resistance in Spain.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Article
- Navigating the artificial intelligence-informed patient: a cross-sectional study of physicians' perceptions and clinical practices.Frontiers in public health · 2026Article
Corrections and comments
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Authors and funding
12 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: The increasing prevalence of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Saudi Arabia has led to a growing interest in understanding how patients seek health information online. While it is known that digital platforms, such as search engines, social media, and artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots, are commonly used for health information seeking, there is limited knowledge about the specific behaviors of IBS patients in this context and how these behaviors correlate with their self-care activities. This study aimed to explore online health information-seeking behavior and its correlation with self-care activities among patients with IBS in Saudi Arabia, focusing on the use of these digital platforms. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at King Khalid University Hospital in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January to July 2023. The survey, available in both English and Arabic, targeted IBS patients aged 16 years or older. The questionnaire covered demographics, general internet usage, online health information-seeking behavior, and IBS knowledge and awareness. Results: In this study, 451 IBS patients completed the survey. Notably, 95.1% of participants were internet users, primarily accessing health information through mobile phones and search engines. The results highlighted a significant correlation between online health information-seeking behaviors and self-care practices (P=0.009) like exercise and dietary adjustments, despite a moderate basic knowledge [standard deviation (SD) 2.26%] of IBS. Symptomatically, 93.3% experienced abdominal pain weekly, yet 63% did not fully meet the Rome criteria for IBS. Common management strategies included hydration, diet modifications, and exercise. About 28.4% visited the emergency room (ER) for severe symptoms, and 20% regularly consulted doctors every 3-6 months. Surprisingly, 80% were unaware of the FODMAP (fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols) diet, often suggested for IBS. Conclusions: The research indicates a rise in digital health literacy among IBS patients in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the need for accurate and culturally appropriate online resources. It suggests that healthcare professionals and policymakers should direct patients to reliable information and address the digital divide to enhance self-care and IBS management outcomes.
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Registered trials
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