An Assessment of the Reliability of Rheumatoid Arthritis Videos on TikTok

Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder that primarily targets the joints. Social media, particularly TikTok, has become a popular worldwide platform for individuals to learn about chronic conditions like RA. This study aims to assess the reliability of RA content on TikTok and to investigate user engagement and the identity of content creators. Methods A search for “rheumatoid arthritis” on November 11th, 2024, was conducted on the social media platform TikTok. A group of four reviewers collected information about each video. It used the validated tool, Discernment, Information, Support, Clarity, Evidence, Relevance, and Needs (DISCERN), to assess the quality of each video. Statistical analysis was performed to compare the DISCERN scores of physicians versus patients and other users. Additional analyses evaluated the correlation between content creators and engagement metrics. Results The 126 TikTok videos assessed had over 42 million views and over 2.5 million likes overall. Physicians had significantly greater DISCERN Reliability scores compared to patients (p<0.05). There was no difference in the DISCERN Treatment scores between the three groups. There was no significant difference in the measured engagement metrics (views, likes, comments, shares, and video duration) between videos created by physicians, patients, and other users. Conclusion Physicians had greater DISCERN Reliability and total DISCERN scores compared to patients. It supports the idea that physicians post more accurate information about RA compared to patients. However, there is no significant difference in the engagement with videos created by physicians versus patients or other users. While physicians post more accurate information, TikTok users engage with all types of content similarly. Thus, TikTok may be better used for information on lived experience from patients rather than accurate medical information.