@article {SINGH899, author = {ABHA G. SINGH and SIDDHARTH SINGH and PREET PAUL SINGH}, title = {YouTube for Information on Rheumatoid Arthritis {\textemdash} A Wakeup Call?}, volume = {39}, number = {5}, pages = {899--903}, year = {2012}, doi = {10.3899/jrheum.111114}, publisher = {The Journal of Rheumatology}, abstract = {Objective. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common debilitating autoimmune disease, with unmet need for knowledge among patients and the general population. YouTube is a popular, consumer-generated, video-sharing website, which can be a source of information on RA. We investigated the quality of information on RA on YouTube and analyzed audience interaction. Methods. YouTube was searched using the term {\textquotedblleft}Rheumatoid Arthritis,{\textquotedblright} for videos uploaded on RA. Two physicians independently classified videos as useful, misleading, or patient views, and rated them on a 5-point global quality scale (GQS; 1 = poor quality, 5 = excellent quality). Useful videos were rated for reliability and content, on a 5-point scale (higher scores represent more reliable and comprehensive videos). Source of videos was also noted. Audience interaction was assessed through video viewership. Results. A total of 102 relevant videos were identified; 54.9\% were classified as useful (GQS 2.9 {\textpm} 1.0) and 30.4\% deemed misleading (GQS 1.3 {\textpm} 1.6). Mean reliability and content score of useful videos was 3.2 ({\textpm} 1.0) and 2.5 ({\textpm} 1.2), respectively. All videos uploaded by university channels and professional organizations provided useful information but formed only 12.7\% of total videos, whereas 73.9\% of medical advertisements and videos by for-profit organizations were misleading. There was no difference in the viewership/day (10.0 vs 21.5; p = nonsignificant) of useful and misleading information. Conclusion. YouTube is a source of information on RA, of variable quality, with wide viewership and potential to influence patients{\textquoteright} knowledge and behavior. Physicians and professional organizations should be aware of and embrace this evolving technology to raise awareness about RA, and empower patients to discriminate useful from misleading information.}, issn = {0315-162X}, URL = {https://www.jrheum.org/content/39/5/899}, eprint = {https://www.jrheum.org/content/39/5/899.full.pdf}, journal = {The Journal of Rheumatology} }