Abstract
Introduction
The increasing reliance on Internet search engines for health-related queries requires a thorough evaluation of the public’s engagement with medical information. This study aims to analyze global trends in interest in lymphedema over the past decade using Google Trends (GT).
Methods
A physiatrist with expertise in lymphedema management identified and analyzed 12 key search terms according to the International Society of Lymphology (ISL) guidelines. These terms included ‘lymphedema swelling’, ‘lymphedema treatment’, ‘lymphedema stages’, ‘compression therapy for lymphedema’, ‘manual lymphatic drainage (MLD)’, ‘complete decongestive therapy (CDT)’, ‘pneumatic compression pump’, ‘lymphovenous anastomosis (LVA)’, ‘lymphedema surgery’, ‘liposuction for lymphedema’, ‘lymphedema prevention’ and ‘post-cancer lymphedema’. GT data was collected using filters set to ‘web search’, ‘all categories’, and ‘worldwide’ to provide a comprehensive overview. The analysis was conducted for two five-year intervals: 1 September 2014 to 31 August 2019 and 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2024. Relative search volume (RSV) was calculated for each term and compared to quantify changes over time.
Results
Significant increases in search activity were observed for ‘lymphedema swelling’, ‘lymphedema treatment’, ‘lymphedema stages’, ‘manual lymphatic drainage’, ‘lymphedema surgery’, and ‘post-cancer lymphedema’ in the second period (p = 0.001 for each). The average GT score increased from 19 in 2014-2019 to 29 in 2019-2024 (p = 0.001), reflecting a significant increase in public awareness and interest.
Conclusion
The study shows a significant increase in global public interest in lymphedema and its minimally invasive treatments over the past 5 years, suggesting a growing awareness of the condition. These findings highlight the need for improved patient education and research to meet the increasing demand for lymphedema care.
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