Impact of Social Media’s Medical Misinformation about Diabetes Mellitus on Patient’s Behaviour: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Social media serves as a key source of health information, shaping public perceptions and behaviours. However, the spread of misinformation, particularly regarding diabetes management, has influenced treatment decisions and self-care practices. The present study explores the impact of social media-driven misinformation on individuals with diabetes. Aim: To assess how social media influences diabetes-related beliefs, the prevalence of misinformation, and its effect on adherence to evidence-based treatment. Materials and Methods: The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 participants with diabetes at SRM Medical College and Research Institute, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, from January 2024 to June 2024. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire covering demographics, social media usage, diabetes-related beliefs, and trust in treatment options. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of misinformation on disease management. A p-value<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The present study found that 183 participants (61%) spent over two hours daily on social media, increasing their exposure to both accurate and misleading health content. Around 131 participants (43.7%) believed diabetes-related claims based on high engagement metrics, while 77 (25.7%) endorsed unverified traditional remedies such as black cumin and Senna auriculata. Notably, 165 participants (55%) were “very likely” to follow advice from social media videos, and 56 (18.7%) expressed a willingness to discontinue prescribed medications in favour of alternative remedies. Misinformation was prevalent, with 154 participants (51.3%) believing that insulin is harmful and 161 (53.7%) thinking that the spleen regulates blood sugar. Despite this, 140 participants (46.7%) acknowledged the effectiveness of allopathic treatment, though skepticism remained regarding medication safety and regulatory processes. Conclusion: Social media significantly influences diabetes management, with misinformation leading to altered treatment decisions and reliance on unverified remedies. Targeted public health interventions, improved patient education, and regulatory oversight are essential to counteract misinformation. Strengthening patient-provider communication is critical to ensuring adherence to evidence-based diabetes care. Future research should explore effective strategies to mitigate misinformation and enhance trust in scientifically validated treatments.