Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40198905›Full record

ArticleJMIR infodemiology2025

Online Information About Side Effects and Safety Concerns of Semaglutide: Mixed Methods Study of YouTube Videos.

Andy Wai Kan Yeung, Fabian Peter Hammerle, Sybille Behrens, Maima Matin, Michel-Edwar Mickael, Olena Litvinova, Emil D Parvanov, Maria Kletecka-Pulker, Atanas G Atanasov

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in JMIR infodemiology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 5 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
5citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

5 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Andy Wai Kan Yeung *Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, Applied Oral Sciences and Community Dental Care, Faculty of Dentistry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.ORCID 0000-0003-3672-357X
Fabian Peter HammerleLudwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0002-7755-4445
Sybille BehrensLudwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0009-0002-1501-730X
Maima MatinInstitute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Magdalenka, Poland.ORCID 0009-0001-5388-6285
Michel-Edwar MickaelInstitute of Genetics and Animal Biotechnology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Jastrzebiec, Magdalenka, Poland.ORCID 0000-0002-4186-4900
Olena LitvinovaLudwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0003-1578-7398
Emil D ParvanovLudwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0001-6744-0949
Maria Kletecka-PulkerLudwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0003-4901-7930
Atanas G Atanasov *Ludwig Boltzmann Institute Digital Health and Patient Safety, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.ORCID 0000-0003-2545-0967

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSocial media has been extensively used by the public to seek information and share views on health issues. Recently, the proper and off-label use of semaglutide drugs for weight loss has attracted huge media attention and led to temporary supply shortages.

objectiveThe aim of this study was to perform a content analysis on English YouTube (Google) videos related to semaglutide.

methodsYouTube was searched with the words semaglutide, Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. The first 30 full-length videos (videos without a time limit) and 30 shorts (videos that are no longer than 1 minute) resulting from each search word were recorded. After discounting duplicates resulting from multiple searches, a total of 96 full-length videos and 93 shorts were analyzed. Video content was evaluated by 3 tools, that is, a custom checklist, a Global Quality Score (GQS), and Modified DISCERN. Readability and sentiment of the transcripts were also assessed.

resultsThere was no significant difference in the mean number of views between full-length videos and shorts (mean 288,563.1, SD 513,598.3 vs mean 188,465.2, SD 780,376.2, P=.30). The former had better content quality in terms of GQS, Modified DISCERN, and the number of mentioned points from the custom checklist (all P<.001). The transcript readability of both types of videos was at a fairly easy level and mainly had a neutral tone. Full-length videos from health sources had a higher content quality in terms of GQS and Modified DISCERN (both P<.001) than their counterparts.

conclusionsThe analyzed videos lacked coverage of several important aspects, including the lack of long-term data, the persistence of side effects due to the long half-life of semaglutide, and the risk of counterfeit drugs. It is crucial for the public to be aware that videos cannot replace consultations with physicians.

Indexed as

Anti-Obesity AgentsGlucagon-Like PeptidesSocial MediaVideo RecordingGlucagon-Like Peptide 1HumansInternetSemaglutideAnti-Obesity AgentsGlucagon-Like Peptide 1Glucagon-Like PeptidesSemaglutideassessmentconsultationdrugshealth issuesknowledge exchangelong-term dataonlineonline informationOzempicRybelsussafetysemaglutideside effectssocial mediavideosWegovyweight lossYouTube

Identifiers

PMID40198905
PMCPMC12015341

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

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.