ABSTRACT
Introduction The quality of information on websites about tonsillectomy regarding the knowledge level may be low. Tonsillectomy is a surgical procedure to hypertrophy of the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils. So, it is an invasive procedure with possible complications, which creates insecurity in parents. Significantly, Internet searches have been increased to address possible health concerns, questioning the quality of websites about tonsillectomy. Objective To evaluate the readability, reliability, and comprehensiveness of the Italian websites dedicated to parental guidance regarding the indications for tonsillectomy in children. Methods The search engine google.it was used to search the websites. The Gulpease index, which is a widely used readability formula ranging from 0 (difficult) to 100 (easy readability), was employed to evaluate these websites. The Health on the Net Code of Conduct (HONcode) was used to assess the quality of information, by taking ethical principles into account, with values ranging from 0 to 13. The content comprehensiveness of the web pages was assessed by assigning points ranging from 1 (very insufficient) to 5 (very satisfying) to each page. A final comparison with previous studies on tonsillectomy published on websites from other countries was performed. Results Fourteen Italian websites were selected, and the Gulpease index showed a mean average of 40.77 ± 8.45. The mean of the HONcode analysis was 6.00 ± 1.92, in which the principles with the poorest scores were Attribution and Update . As far as the comprehensiveness of the websites is concerned, the resulting mean was 2.57 ± 0.77, in which Indications was the topic with the highest mean, whereas Benefits was the one with the lowest. Conclusion The Italian websites were characterized by a lower readability level, a middle position regarding ethical principles, and the same (insufficient) comprehensiveness of tonsillectomy when compared with websites from different countries.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To apply the Sleep Clinical Record (SCR) to a sample of Brazilian children with sleep complaints, to compare the results with Italian children, and to identify variables that influence phenotype. METHODS: Brazilian and Italian children, 4-11 years of age and matched for age, gender, obesity, and apnea-hypopnea index and who presented with complaints related to sleep, were selected. The instrument used was the SCR, and the procedure used was full-night cardiorespiratory monitoring. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 51 Brazilian children and 102 Italian children. Brazilian children presented with oral breathing (55%), tonsillar hypertrophy (69%), Friedman palate position (88%), malocclusion (84%), and OSAS score (Brouilette questionnaire) (55%). The SCR among obese Brazilian children was higher as compared to that in nonobese subjects (obese, 10.84 vs nonobese, 9.13; p = 0.03). In the comparison between Brazilian and Italian children, the total Brazilian SCR was higher than the Italian SCR score (Brazilian SCR, 10.21 ± 7.56; Italian SCR, 8.95 ± 2.55; p = 0.002). The Italian SCR score was influenced by obesity, whereas the Brazilian SCR was influenced by others symptoms (daytime sleepiness, enuresis, nocturnal choking, headache, limb movements). CONCLUSION: Brazilian children with sleep-disordered breathing show a higher SCR score as compared to Italian children. Obesity and tonsillar hypertrophy, Friedman palate position alteration, and dental malocclusion further influenced the total SCR score among Brazilian children. This may be due to access difficulties in Brazil where children should have more assistance to obtain medical care.