The Alarm Clock Against the Sun: Trends in Google Trends Search Activity Across the Transitions to and from Daylight Saving Time.

The human circadian timing system depends on the light/dark cycle as its main cue to synchronize with the environment, and thus with solar time. However, human activities depend also on social time, i.e. the set of time conventions and restrictions dictated by society, including Daylight Saving Time (DST), which adds an hour to any degree of desynchrony between social and solar time. Here, we used Google Trends as a data source to analyze diurnal variation, if any, and the daily peak in the relative search volume of 26 Google search queries in relation to the transitions to/from DST in Italy from 2015 to 2020. Our search queries of interest fell into three categories: sleep/health-related, medication and random non sleep/health-related. After initial rhythm and phase analysis, 11 words were selected to compare the average phase of the 15 days before and after the transition to/from DST. We observed an average phase advance after the transition to DST, and a phase delay after the transition to civil time, ranging from 25 to 60 minutes. Advances or delays shorter than 60 minutes, which were primarily observed in the sleep/health-related category, may suggest that search timing for these queries is at least partially driven by the endogenous circadian rhythm. Finally, a significant trend in phase anticipation over the years was observed for virtually all words. This is most likely related to an increase in age, and thus in earlier chronotypes, amongst Google users.

Evolución de la tendencia de búsqueda en España de los términos “Ansiedad”, “Depresión” y “Suicidio” entre 2019 y 2022: Antes, durante y después de la pandemia por COVID-19 / Evolution of the search trend in Spain for the terms “Anxiety”, “Depression” and “Suicide” between 2019 and 2022: Before, during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

Introducción: La pandemia por COVID-19 ha incrementado la prevalencia de la ansiedad, la depresión y el suicidio en la mayoría de los países. La utilización de herramientas como Google Trends ha mostrado su eficacia en el seguimiento de diferentes enfermedades y trastornos mentales, con la posibilidad de mejorar la respuesta sanitaria. En esta investigación se analizó la evolución de las tendencias de búsqueda de los términos “Ansiedad”, “Depresión” y “Suicidio” en las comunidades autónomas españolas entre 2019 y 2022. Método: Se utilizó la herramienta Google Trends para la obtención del Volumen Relativo de Búsqueda (VRB). Resultados: El VRB para “Ansiedad” se incrementó en 2020 y se mantuvo estable y moderado hasta 2022, mientras que para “Depresión” se mostró un incremento solo en 2022. Por otro lado, el VRB para “Suicidio” se redujo progresivamente de 2019 a 2022. Las comunidades que mostraron mayores niveles en VRB para “Ansiedad” y “Depresión” fueron Asturias y Aragón, que partían en 2019 con niveles altos que mantuvieron en los años posteriores. Mientras que Extremadura fue la comunidad que mayor progresión mostró, llegando a 2022 con niveles altos en ansiedad y depresión. Respecto al “Suicidio”, Castilla y León, Cantabria, Murcia y Andalucía, fueron las comunidades que tuvieron mayor VRB, si bien todas las comunidades mostraron disminuciones progresivas de 2019 a 2022. Conclusiones: Estudios que analicen las tendencias de búsqueda podrían ser útiles en determinadas situaciones de emergencia, facilitando la implementación de intervenciones preventivas y adaptadas a cada comunidad, que podrían atenuar el impacto sobre la salud mental.(AU)

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the prevalence of anxiety, depression and suicide in most countries. The use of tools such as Google Trends has shown to be effective in monitoring different mental illnesses and disorders, with the potential to improve the health response. In this research we analyse the evolution of search trends for the terms “Anxiety”, “Depression” and “Suicide” in the Spanish autonomous communities between 2019 and 2022. Method: We used the Google Trends tool to obtain the Relative Search Volume (RSV). Results: The RSV of “Anxiety” increased in 2020 and remained stable and moderate until 2022, while “Depression” showed an increase only in 2022. On the other hand, the RSV of “Suicide” decreased progressively from 2019 to 2022. The communities that showed the highest levels of RSV for “Anxiety” and “Depression” were Asturias and Aragon, which started in 2019 with high levels that they maintained in the following years. While Extremadura was the community that showed the greatest progression, arriving in 2022 with high levels of anxiety and depression. Regarding “Suicide”, Castilla and León, Cantabria, Murcia and Andalusia, were the Communities with the highest RSV, although all communities showed progressive decreases from 2019 to 2022. Conclusions: Studies that analyse search trends could be useful in certain emergency situations, facilitating the implementation of preventive interventions adapted to each community, which could mitigate the impact on mental health.(AU)

Googling "Anatomy dissection": Pre-pandemic, pandemic, and current scenario.

OBJECTIVES: The present study was proposed to assess if the online search behavior for Anatomy dissection was affected by actual dissection being performed in the labs. The interest in dissection was ascertained and compared between pre-pandemic, pandemic, and current times. METHODS: Online web search behavior for key terms related to "Anatomy dissection" was noticed worldwide using Google Trends Tool. Relative search volume (RSV) was downloaded for these keywords worldwide using all categories, and web search settings during a period from January 1, 2018, to July 31, 2022. RESULTS: There was almost a similar google trend for the first three months in years 2018 and 2020, with a slightly lower RSV in March and a noticeable RSV decrease from April onwards in 2020. During the pre-pandemic period, the peak for RSV in the month of May was noticed. These peaks were missing in 2020 and 2021. In May 2022, RSV again increased. The top five countries with the highest search hit for "Anatomy Dissection" web were the Philippines, the United States, Canada, Australia, and India. CONCLUSIONS: There was lower search trend for "Anatomy dissection" during the pandemic period as compared to pre-pandemic period. The search trends may be associated with the closure of dissection labs and it may be concluded that Anatomy learners search for this term more often, if they are actually performing the dissections. The future integrated multi-country data and analysis from different set-ups about their ways of dissection and labs before and after the pandemic may further clarify.

Public interest and awareness regarding general health, sleep quality and mental wellbeing during the early COVID-19 pandemic period: An exploration using Google trends.

The internet network continues to be a major source of health-related information. Our research provides insights into the online health-seeking behaviors of the general population, and evaluates the potential relationship between the COVID-19 pandemic and public interest and awareness of general sleep health, mental health and wellbeing. Google Trends' weekly relative search volumes (RSVs) were examined during 2020 for searches specifically related to COVID-19 symptoms, and for searches related to general health, sleep and wellbeing, in the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, Italy and Japan. To obtain insight into the association between the initiation of public restrictions and online search trends, we assessed a six-week period; the 'early pandemic period' (EPP) (01 March 2020 - 11 April 2020). To provide a meaningful pre-pandemic comparison, a similar period during 2019 (03 March - 13 April 2019) was compared for RSV and median difference analysis. The EPP was associated with increased online searches related to COVID-19 symptoms, as compared with those related to more general sleep health, mental health and wellbeing. The latter search terms frequently showed a decrease or minimal change in RSV during the EPP compared with the equivalent period in 2019. This finding illustrates the potential link between the COVID-19 pandemic and online search behavior and corroborates existing findings regarding internet searches during this period. Proactive communication by healthcare professionals during future pandemics and as an ongoing measure could help prevent public neglect of general health and wellbeing symptoms, and encourage reporting and early intervention.

Google trends in "anatomy": pre-pandemic versus during COVID-19 pandemic.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to assess the online search behavior for the keyword "anatomy" worldwide and to compare the pre-pandemic and during COVID-19 pandemic scenario for the same. METHODS: Google trends tool was used for the assessment of the search behavior for the term "anatomy". The data, i.e. relative search volume (RSV) were downloaded for this term using the all categories, web search and only YouTube settings during a period from 1.1.2019 to 3.31.2021 from www.trends.google.com . The geographic trends for this search query were plotted across the world. RESULTS: Seasonal peaks were observed for the search term "anatomy" during the first 3 months of the year and in months of September, October and November in 2019. Similar seasonal peaks were observed for the year 2020 except that there was sudden decrease in RSV for term "anatomy" in the month of March. Though trend for the rest of the year was same, but there was general lower RSV in 2020. The country with highest search hit was United States followed by Canada, Ireland, Australia and Philippines. CONCLUSION: The search trend for pre-pandemic and pandemic period was similar with overall lower RSV during 2020, where it noticeably decreased during the initial phase of lockdown, i.e. in the month of March. As the whole world is still in the COVID-19 pandemic era, the future studies may report the google trends once the pandemic is over and may compare the post-pandemic trend for the same.

Trends and Seasonality of Information Searches Carried Out through Google on Nutrition and Healthy Diet in Relation to Occupational Health: Infodemiological Study.

This study aimed to analyze and relate the population interest through information search trends on Nutrition and Healthy Diet (HD) with the Occupational Health (OH). Ecological and correlational study of the Relative Search Volume (RSV) obtained from Google Trends query, segmented in two searched periods concerning antiquity; date of query: 20 April 2021. The RSV trends for the analyzed three Topics were: Nutrition (R2 = 0.02), HD (R2 = 0.07) and OH (R2 = -0.72). There was a good positive correlation between Nutrition and OH (R = 0.56, p < 0.001) and a moderate one between HD and OH (R = 0.32, p < 0.001). According to seasons, differences were verified between RSV means in the Topics HD (p < 0.01) and OH (p < 0.001). Temporal dependence was demonstrated on Nutrition searches (Augmented Dickey-Fuller = -2.35, p > 0.05). There was only a significant relationship between the RSV Topic HD (p < 0.05) for the Developing and Least Developed countries. The data on the analyzed RSV demonstrated diminishing interest in the search information on HD and OH as well as a clearly positive trend change in recent years for Nutrition. A good positive correlation was observed between the RSV of nutrition and OH whereas the correlation between HD and OH was moderate. There were no milestones found that may report a punctual event leading to the improvement of information searches. Temporal dependence was corroborated in the RSV on Nutrition, but not in the other two Topics. Strangely, only an association was found on HD searches between the Developing and Least Developed Countries. The study of information search trends may provide useful information on the population's interest in the disease data, as well as would gradually allow the analysis of differences in popularity, or interest even between different countries. Thus, this information might be used as a guide for public health approaches regarding nutrition and a healthy diet at work.

Epidemiologic evolution of common cutaneous infestations and arthropod bites: A Google Trends analysis.

BACKGROUND: Common cutaneous infestations and arthropod bites are not reportable conditions in most countries. Their worldwide epidemiologic evolution and distribution are mostly unknown. OBJECTIVE: To explore the evolution and geographic distribution of common cutaneous infestations and arthropod bites through an analysis of Google Trends. METHODS: Search trends from 2004 through March 2021 for common cutaneous infestations and arthropod bites were extracted from Google Trends, quantified, and analyzed. RESULTS: Time series decomposition showed that total search term volume for pubic lice decreased worldwide over the study period, while the interest for ticks, pediculosis, insect bites, scabies, lice, and bed bugs increased (in increasing order). The interest for bed bugs was more pronounced in the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics countries, interest for lice in Near East and Middle East countries, and interest for pubic lice in South American countries. Internet searches for bed bugs, insect bites, and ticks exhibited the highest seasonal patterns. LIMITATIONS: Retrospective analysis limits interpretation. CONCLUSION: Surveillance systems based on Google Trends may enhance the timeliness of traditional surveillance systems and suggest that, while most cutaneous infestations increase worldwide, pubic lice may be globally declining.

Use and interest of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS): Assessing the validity of Google Trends.

Background: Initial evidence suggests a role for Google Trends (GT) in monitoring use and interest in Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS).Objective: To examine the validity of GT data for assessing population behavior and interest in ENDS.Methods: GT search, done from the US and India to assess: (a) whether descriptive and statistical trends of specific search words depicting online interest in ENDS were similar to the published reports on actual use of these products in the US; (b) correlations between state-wise relative search volumes (RSV) of these words and prevalence of ENDS use; (c) the change in the online interest of ENDS after change in its regulatory policy.Results: Locally weighted scatter plot analysis showed "electronic cigarette," "vaping," and "cigarette" trends mirrored the use trend reported by the US-based National Youth Tobacco Survey (2019). Online interest in "Juul pods" followed the trends of its use. Geo-spatial RSVs of "electronic cigarette" (r=0.74, p<0.0001) and "vaping" (r=0.55, p<0.0001) correlated positively with state-wise prevalence of switch to ENDS in adults. Complete ENDS use prohibition in India was associated with a decrease in the online interest in "electronic cigarettes" (t=3.18, p=0.01) and "vaping" (t=2.3, p=0.04). Regulation of use in New Mexico (USA) was associated with a reduction in "electronic cigarettes" (t=4.09, p=0.0005) but not in "vaping."Conclusion: GT may be used to validate existing information and assess the potential effect of ENDS regulations. Its role can also be extended for monitoring interest and use of other drugs and alcohol.

Temporal Trends and Interest in Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring Over Time: An Infodemiology Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate interest in coronary artery calcium (CAC) among the general public during the past 17 years and to compare trends with real-world data on number of CAC procedures performed. METHODS: We used Google Trends, a publicly available database, to access search query data in a systematic and quantitative fashion to search for CAC-related key terms. Search terms included calcium test, heart score, calcium score, coronary calcium, and calcium test score. We accessed Google Trends in January 2021 and analyzed data from 2004 to 2020. RESULTS: From 2004 to December 31, 2020, CAC-related search interest (in relative search volume) increased continually worldwide (+201.9%) and in the United States (+354.8%). Three main events strongly influenced search interest in CAC: reports of a CAC scan of the president of the United States led to a transient 10-fold increase in early January 2018. American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association guideline release led to a sustained increase, and lockdown after the global pandemic due to COVID-19 led to a transient decrease. Real-world data on performed CAC scans showed an increase between 2006 and 2017 (+200.0%); during the same time period, relative search volume for CAC-related search terms increased in a similar pattern (+70.6%-1511.1%). For the search term coronary calcium scan near me, a potential representative of active online search for CAC scanning, we found a +28.8% increase in 2020 compared with 2017. CONCLUSION: Google Trends, a valuable tool for assessing public interest in health-related topics, suggests increased overall interest in CAC during the last 17 years that mirrors real-world usage data. Increased interest is seemingly linked to reports of CAC testing in world leaders and endorsement in major guidelines.

The impact of the pandemic declaration on public awareness and behavior: Focusing on COVID-19 google searches.

The unprecedented outbreaks of epidemics such as the coronavirus has caused major socio-economic changes. To analyze public risk awareness and behavior in response to the outbreak of epidemic diseases, this study focuses on RSV (Relative Search Volume) provided by Google Trends. This study uses the social big data provided by Google RSV to investigate how the WHO's pandemic declaration affected public awareness and behavior. 37 OECD countries were analyzed and clustered according to the degree of reaction to the declaration, and the United States, France and Germany were selected for comparative study. The results of this study statistically confirmed that the pandemic declaration increased public awareness and had the effect of increasing searches for information on COVID-19 by more than 20%. In addition, this rapid rise in RSV also reflected interest in the COVID-19 test and had the effect of inducing individuals to be tested, which helped identify new cases. The significance of this study is that it provided the theoretical foundation for using RSV and its implications to understand and strategically utilize public awareness and behavior in situations where the WHO and governments must launch policies in response to the outbreak of new infectious diseases such as COVID-19.

Cardiovascular-related health behaviors and lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic: An infodemiology study.

BACKGROUND: Reports have suggested decreasing attention to CVD comorbidities during the COVID-19 pandemic, despite their association with worse virus-related outcomes. Using nowcasting tools, we sought to explore temporal trends in public interest by studying use of online search terms related to CVD comorbidities during the pandemic time period. METHODS: We queried Google Trends for recent (October 2019-October 2020) and seasonal (October 2016-October 2020) trends of search terms pertaining to cardiovascular-related behaviors or clinical care including clinical diagnostic and therapeutic-related terms. Additionally, we acquired data from Google Shopping Insights to explore consumer behavior. Data for search results in the US were compared using mean relative search volumes (RSV), tabulated by month. RESULTS: Online search interest in the terms "Exercise" and "Cigarettes" changed by +18.0% and -52.5%, respectively, comparing March-April with January-February 2020. Key terms related to CVD-related care, including diagnostic and therapeutic-related terms such as "Statin", "Lipid profile", "Low-density lipoprotein", and "Hemoglobin A1C" declined to a four-year low in late March 2020 but regained pre-pandemic search query frequency by July 2020. Results were supported by Google Shopping analysis; for example, online consumer shopping-related searches for tobacco products reached at an all-year low after May 2020. CONCLUSION: We report an increase in search interest for an overall healthier CVD-related lifestyle starting in March 2020, supported by online consumer shopping behavior. However, a months-long trough in public interest for CVD care-related search terms from March-May 2020 suggests a transient but substantial decrease in public focus on cardiovascular-related healthcare engagement. Future research is needed to understand if these mixed signals will persist into 2021 and how they potentially translate into real-world CVD-related event rates.

Seasonal variations and public search interests in Toxoplasma: a 16-year retrospective analysis of big data on Google Trends.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to understand whether there is a seasonal change in the internet search interest for Toxoplasma by using the data derived from Google Trends (GT). METHODS: The present study searched for the relative search volume (RSV) for the search term 'Toxoplasma' in GT within six major English-speaking countries (Australia, New Zealand [Southern Hemisphere] and Canada, Ireland, the UK and the USA [Northern Hemisphere] from 1 January 2004 to 31 December 2019, utilizing the category of 'health'. Data regarding the RSV of Toxoplasma was obtained and further statistical analysis was performed in R software using the 'season' package. RESULTS: There were significantly seasonal patterns for the RSV of the search term 'Toxoplasma' in five countries (all p<0.05), except for the UK. A peak in December-March and a trough in July-September (Canada, Ireland, the UK and the USA) were observed, while a peak in June/August and a trough in December/February (Australia, New Zealand) were also found. Moreover, the presence of seasonal patterns regarding RSV for 'Toxoplasma' between the Southern and Northern Hemispheres was also found (both p<0.05), with a reversed meteorological month. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our study revealed the seasonal variation for Toxoplasma in using internet search data from GT, providing additional evidence on seasonal patterns in Toxoplasma.