Assessment of the Quality and Reliability of Intragastric Balloon Videos on YouTube

Purpose There is no mechanism to control the accuracy and quality of videos on YouTube. However, it is essential to evaluate the quality of videos on YouTube to prevent patients from accessing misleading information. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and reliability of the videos available on YouTube concerning intragastric balloon. Materials and Methods YouTube was searched using the keywords “intragastric balloon” and “gastric balloon.” A total of 158 videos were independently analyzed by two bariatric surgeons—endoscopists and were classified as reliable or non-reliable. Video demographics (view, view per day, like, dislike, comment) were analyzed according to the quality and source of the video. The video power index (VPI) was calculated for each video. The modified DISCERN and global quality scores (GQS) were used to rate the reliability and overall quality of the videos. Results Of the included videos, 63.9% were described reliable and 36.1% as non-reliable. The median number of dislikes, comments, views, views per day, and video duration on YouTube did not significantly differ between the two reliability groups. The mean length of the videos, GQS and DISCERN scores, and the median number of likes were significantly higher in the reliable group. The highest median VPI value was determined for the videos uploaded by TV programs. Conclusion The number of reliable videos is higher than non-reliable about intragastric balloon on YouTube. However, the reliability and quality of the videos are generally low. The videos uploaded by TV programs are significantly more popular. Graphical abstract