Content, quality, and reliability of gout-related videos on TikTok and Bilibili: A cross-sectional study

Gout is a common inflammatory arthritis that imposes an increasing burden on global public health. With the rise of social media platforms, particularly TikTok and Bilibili, more individuals are seeking health-related information online. However, concerns remain regarding the quality and reliability of such information. This study aimed to evaluate the quality and reliability of gout-related videos on TikTok and Bilibili. A cross-sectional study was conducted by collecting the top 100 gout-related videos from each platform. Video characteristics, creator type, and user engagement metrics were extracted. Video quality was assessed using the modified DISCERN checklist and the global quality scale. A total of 163 videos were included. The overall median global quality scale was 2 (IQR: 2-3), and the median modified DISCERN score was 2 (IQR: 1-2). Video content was generally incomplete, with information related to diagnosis (7.4%) and epidemiology (11.7%) markedly underrepresented. Videos on Bilibili were significantly longer (368.00, IQR: 201.00-782.00, P <.05), whereas TikTok videos received significantly more likes (1102.00, IQR: 162.50, 11105.75, P <.05). Compared with personal users, specialists uploaded videos of significantly higher quality (P <.05). The overall quality and reliability of gout-related short videos on both platforms were low, and the content structure was incomplete. Videos uploaded by specialists demonstrated higher quality. This study suggests that more accurate and expert-driven content should be promoted on these platforms to enhance public health awareness and reduce the spread of misinformation.