Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Dermatology
Date Submitted: Jan 15, 2024
Date Accepted: May 24, 2024
Geographic disparities in online searches for psoriasis biologics in the United States: A Google Trends analysis
ABSTRACT
Twelve biologics targeting TNF-α, IL-12/23, IL-17, and IL-23 are FDA-approved for treating moderate-to-severe psoriasis. We analyzed Google Trends search volumes for these medications to examine public interest and awareness over time and geography in the US. We included all 12 FDA-approved psoriasis biologics in our analysis of Relative Search Volume Index from Google Trends, scaling from 0 (no searches) to 100 (peak volume). We analyzed trends since each medication's approval using Mann-Kendall tests and compared search volumes geographically over the past year. Most biologics showed rising search volumes over time, except etanercept and brodalumab. Search interest was higher along the coasts versus the Midwest. Despite no proven superiority, searches rose rapidly for risankizumab since 2021 (P<0.001). Our findings reveal disparities in patient awareness of psoriasis treatments, with consistently low search volumes for many standard biologics across US regions. This study highlights the need to improve public knowledge on the range of available psoriasis medications through comprehensive patient education.
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