YouTube as a source of health information: Analysis of sun protection and skin cancer prevention related issues.

Although social media ubiquitously supplementstraditional information sources such as newspapers,magazines, radio, and television, investigation of onlinehealth information related to sun protection and skincancer prevention has been scarce and largely limitedto English language sources. Using the search terms"sun protection," "sunscreen," "skin cancer prevention,""tanning bed" and "vitamin D," we investigated 281YouTube videos presented in 6 languages: English,German, French, Spanish, Swedish, and Danish. Foreach video, we used a four-sectioned checklist toassess general information, popularity, expert drivenmeasures, and heuristic driven measures. Differencesbetween languages were detected: English languagevideos were most frequently viewed (median numberof views: 5488 compared to 248 -1591 in otherlanguages). Approximately 60% of videos revealednegative effects of solar ultraviolet (UV)-exposure.The majority of videos (75%) targeted adults. Videoson tanning beds and sunscreen contained false ormisleading information 40% and 20% of the time,respectively. We confirm observations made withrespect to other medical disciplines that the generalquality of YouTube contributions is often inferiorand does not deliver sustainable information. Othersources of information should be included whensearching for health information online.

Occupational risk factors for skin cancer and the availability of sun protection measures at German outdoor workplaces.

PURPOSE: Germany implemented a new occupational disease "squamous cell carcinoma or multiple actinic keratosis due to natural UV radiation (UVR)" into the German ordinance on occupational diseases. Since primary prevention is very important, the aim of this study was to assess the provision of sun protection measures by the employers in vocational school students for outdoor professions. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study on the availability of sun protection measures at German workplaces and the risk of occupational sunburn by surveying 245 vocational school students working in outdoor occupations. RESULTS: More than 40 % of the students did not receive any sun protection measures by their employer, and 34.5 % of the students got sunburned during work. Working in the shade was a protective factor for occupational sunburn but was merely available for 23.7 % of the outdoor workers. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals a strong need for effective sun protection measures, including both administrative controls like education and personal protection measures at German outdoor workplaces.

Itching in patients with chronic hand eczema: data from the CARPE registry.

BACKGROUND: Itching is a leading symptom of chronic hand eczema (CHE) having a great impact on patients. The determinants of itching in CHE are unclear. OBJECTIVE: We performed a cross-sectional analysis investigating factors associated with the presence and severity of itch in CHE patients from the CARPE registry. METHODS: We present baseline data on itch in relationship with sociodemographic factors, severity of CHE, atopy, contact allergy, treatment and patient- reported outcomes including health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS: Of 1,051 patients with CHE, 78.1% reported itching. Significant positive associations with itching were observed for younger age groups (17-25 and 26-45 years), for moderate, severe and very severe CHE and for small/moderate impairment in HRQoL. Atopic skin diathesis, hardly being able to realize treatment recommendations and very or extremely large impairments in HRQoL were associated with itch severity. CONCLUSION: Taking the identified variables into account may help identify vulnerable groups most affected by (severe) itch.

A mixed methods study of symptom perception in patients with chronic heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Early heart failure (HF) symptoms are frequently unrecognized for reasons that are unclear. We explored symptom perception in patients with chronic HF. METHODS: We enrolled 36 HF out-patients into a longitudinal sequential explanatory mixed methods study. We used objectively measured thoracic fluid accumulation and daily reports of signs and symptoms to evaluate accuracy of detected changes in fluid retention. Patterns of symptom interpretation and response were explored in telephone interviews conducted every 2 weeks for 3-months. RESULTS: In this sample, 44% had a mismatch between objective and subjective fluid retention; younger persons were more likely to have mismatch. In interviews, two patterns were identified: those able to interpret and respond appropriately to symptoms were higher in decision-making skill and the quality of social support received. CONCLUSION: Many HF patients were poor at interpreting and managing their symptoms. These results suggest a subgroup of patients to target for intervention.