The effect of cyberchondria in neurosurgical outpatient care: a cross-sectional study

Purpose: The digital age has made health information widely accessible but also fueled cyberchondria, where individuals excessively search symptoms online, increasing health anxiety. This is critical in neurosurgery, where common complaints like headaches or back pain are linked to serious conditions. This study investigates the impact of cyberchondria on neurosurgical outpatients, considering psychiatric history, gender, and socioeconomic status. Materials and methods: This prospective observational study included 90 new patients from two randomly selected neurosurgery clinics at a tertiary care hospital. Data on demographics, medical history, prior healthcare interactions, and online research behaviors were collected. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-21) measured cyberchondria, depression, anxiety, and stress. Statistical analysis used chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Spearman’s correlation tests. Results: Of 90 patients, 55 (61.1%) were women and 35 (38.9%) were men. Forty percent reported researching symptoms online before their visit. Women and patients with psychiatric history scored significantly higher on all psychological measures. Pre-visit internet use correlated with elevated cyberchondria, anxiety, depression, and stress. Lower-income patients had higher cyberchondria scores. Cyberchondria strongly correlated with increased anxiety and stress levels. Conclusion: Cyberchondria significantly contributes to health anxiety in neurosurgical clinics, leading to unnecessary referrals. Gender, psychiatric history, and lower income levels are associated with higher susceptibility. Patient education, psychological support, and improved doctor-patient communication may help reduce its impact and enhance healthcare efficiency. Keywords: Cyberchondria, health anxiety, neurosurgery outpatient clinic, online health information, psychological factors.