Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Formative Research
Date Submitted: Nov 13, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Nov 14, 2024 - Jan 9, 2025
Date Accepted: Dec 16, 2024
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
The Quality Assessment of Medical Institutions’ Websites Regarding Prescription Drug Misuse of GLP-1RAs Off-label Use: Website Evaluation Study
ABSTRACT
Background:
Misuse of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) has emerged globally as individuals increasingly use these drugs for weight loss because of unrealistic and attractive body images advertised and shared on the Internet.
Objective:
This study aims to assess the quality of information and compliance with Japan’s medical advertising guidelines on medical institutions' websites that prescribe GLP-1RAs off-label for weight loss.
Methods:
The websites were identified by searching on Google and Yahoo! using keywords related to GLP-1RAs and weight loss in August 2024. The quality of information on the websites was assessed using DISCERN instrument. For compliance with Japan's medical advertising guidelines, we evaluated whether the five mandatory items for advertisements of self-paid medical treatments involving off-label use of drugs were stated and whether there were any exaggerated claims. The contents of the exaggerated advertisements were categorized into themes.
Results:
Of the total 87 websites included, only one website stated all five mandatory items. 72 (82.8%) of the websites listed exaggerated advertisements. Of the websites with exaggerated advertisements, 60 (69.0%) suggested that “no exercise or dietary therapy is required.” The mean total DISCERN score for all 87 websites was 32.6, indicating low quality. Only one website achieved a "good" rating, while the majority were rated as "poor" or "very poor."
Conclusions:
This study found that the quality of information provided by medical institutions' websites prescribing GLP-1RAs off-label for weight loss was very low, and many websites violate Japan's medical advertising guidelines. The prevalence of exaggerated advertisements, which may mislead consumers into believing they can lose weight without dietary or exercise therapy, suggests a risk of GLP-1RAs misuse among consumers. Public institutions and healthcare providers are required to monitor and regulate advertisements that violate guidelines and to provide accurate information regarding GLP-1RAs, obesity, and weight loss.
Citation
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