Kidney Week

Abstract: SA-PO1075

Assessment of Public Interest in CKD: A Google Trends Analysis

Session Information

• CKD: Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention - 3
  October 26, 2024 | Location: Exhibit Hall, Convention Center
  Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Category: CKD (Non-Dialysis)

• 2301 CKD (Non-Dialysis): Epidemiology, Risk Factors, and Prevention

Authors

• Milla, Cristian A., SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, New York City, New York, United States

Cristian A. Milla, MD

• Abushawer, Mohammad Waleed, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, New York City, New York, United States

Mohammad Waleed Abushawer, MBChB

• Amjad, Arfa, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, New York City, New York, United States

Arfa Amjad, MD

• Soe, Thin Thin, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, New York City, New York, United States

Thin Thin Soe, MD

• Goodman, Dinah, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, New York City, New York, United States

Dinah Goodman, MD

Background

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a critical global health problem, that affects millions of patients worldwide, leading to severe health complications and increased mortality. Understanding the public interest in CKD is essential for awareness and prevention efforts. Google Trends serves as a valuable tool in this regard, offering insights into the general public’s search behaviors and interest patterns, providing a resource for healthcare professionals and policymakers to tailor their strategies more efficiently.

Methods

Google Trends was utilized to analyze searches for the term “chronic kidney disease”, from January 2004 to January 2024, focusing on English-Language queries within the United States of America. The gathered data encompassed search frequency over time, location distribution, frequent topic of interest, and related searches. Search frequency is reported on a normalized scale, with a value of 100 representing peak in search popularity.

Results

The number of google searches related to the term chronic kidney disease has significantly increased over time, from a mean of 14% in 2004 to 76% interest in 2024. Regarding interest by subregion in 2024, the state of West Virginia leads the frequency of searches, followed by South Dakota, Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi. Top searched terms by frequency were the following: chronic kidney disease stage 3, chronic kidney disease treatment, what is kidney disease, assessment of kidney function, and dialysis.

Conclusion

The substantial increase in Google searches for chronic kidney disease over the past two decades reflects a rising public interest and awareness of CKD. This trend, particularly pronounced in some geographic regions, highlights the public’s growing concern and need for information about CKD stages, treatments, and kidney function assessment. Physicians should integrate this information to provide better patient care by addressing common concerns, offering targeted education and tailoring prevention strategies.