Mapping the quality of information on osteoporosis: a cross-sectional analysis of online health information

Key findings from this study

• The study found that online health information on osteoporosis achieves only 15-17 percent compliance with evidence-based health information criteria across diagnostic, treatment, and prevention content.
• The authors report that 92 percent of websites address multiple osteoporosis topic areas, yet hospitals and pharmaceutical companies collectively contribute 65 percent of all osteoporosis-related online resources.
• The researchers demonstrate that current online osteoporosis information fails to meet basic standards necessary for supporting informed patient decision-making.

Overview

This cross-sectional study evaluated the quality of online health information (OHI) on osteoporosis in German and English against evidence-based health information (EBHI) criteria. The researchers analyzed 146 websites (81 German, 65 English) identified through Google searches conducted in March and September 2021. Websites targeted laypeople, presented at least two treatment options, and originated from pharmaceutical companies, hospitals, government agencies, and other health organizations.

Methods and approach

The study employed the validated MAPPinfo checklist to assess compliance with EBHI criteria. Two independent reviewers screened initial search results covering the first five Google result pages per language. An extended search in September 2021 included the first ten pages. A subset of websites underwent dual assessment by raters to establish shared understanding of criterion application to osteoporosis. Quality scores ranged from 0 to 100 percent, with mean scores calculated for diagnostics, treatment, and prevention content.

Results

Average information quality scores were 15.3 percent for diagnostics, 16.7 percent for treatment, and 17.4 percent for prevention. Ninety-two percent of included websites addressed multiple osteoporosis-related areas. Hospitals represented 35 percent of sources, pharmaceutical companies 30 percent, government agencies 16 percent, specialist organisations 10 percent, and non-profit organisations 8 percent. Most websites (93 percent) covered either diagnostics or treatment information; 102 websites included prevention content and only one addressed rehabilitation.

Implications

The substantial gap between current OHI quality and EBHI standards represents a significant limitation to informed patient decision-making regarding osteoporosis diagnosis, management, and prevention. Low mean quality scores across all content categories indicate systemic deficiencies in how osteoporosis information reaches the public online. This pattern necessitates coordinated efforts among healthcare institutions, government agencies, and regulatory bodies to establish and enforce quality standards for publicly accessible health information.

Scope and limitations

This summary is based on the study abstract and available metadata. It does not include a full analysis of the complete paper, supplementary materials, or underlying datasets unless explicitly stated. Findings should be interpreted in the context of the original publication.