1252 Struggling for Air? A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Sleep Apnea Guidance on Social Media

Abstract Introduction Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common and frequently underdiagnosed disorder characterized by recurrent upper-airway collapse during sleep, resulting in fragmented sleep, daytime fatigue, and increased cardiometabolic risk. With the growing popularity of online health information, TikTok has become a major platform through which patients learn about symptoms, diagnostic pathways, and treatment options. Despite its influence, little is known about the accuracy or quality of content shared on this platform for sleep apnea. This study evaluates the reliability, thematic content, and creator characteristics of TikTok videos addressing sleep apnea. Methods The top 50 videos under each of the hashtags #sleepapnea and #obstructivesleepapnea were collected using a publicly available scraping tool, yielding 100 unique videos. After excluding non-English posts, 97 videos remained. Two independent reviewers categorized creator type (medical vs non-medical) and video style (informational, personal, or humorous). Informational content was evaluated using DISCERN, modified DISCERN, and the Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT). Overall video quality was assessed using the 5-point Global Quality Scale. Statistical comparisons were performed using Fisher’s exact tests and unpaired t-tests. Results Among 97 videos, 52 were informational, 27 personal, and 18 humorous. Common themes included diagnostic processes, treatment options, lifestyle factors, physiologic explanations, and symptom-management tips. Informational videos demonstrated average DISCERN scores of 36.90 ± 7.17 (out of 80) and mDISCERN scores of 2.53 ± 0.42 (out of 5). PEMAT scores showed 78.7% understandability and 63.2% actionability. Personal videos received significantly more views than informational videos (p=0.0088), while informational videos had higher Global Quality scores (p=0.0001). Medical professionals produced significantly higher-quality content overall (p=0.0001), though no significant differences were found in views or interactions between medical and non-medical creators. Conclusion TikTok content related to sleep apnea varies widely in accuracy and quality. Personal, non-informational videos attract more engagement than medically accurate content, highlighting an opportunity for clinicians to create accessible, evidence-based educational materials. Increasing expert participation on social media may improve public understanding of sleep apnea and support appropriate care-seeking. Support (if any)