Abstract
OBJECTIVE(S): To evaluate the quality, reliability and accuracy of hyperthyroidism-related content on TikTok using validated assessment tools. METHODS: We systematically searched TikTok for 'hyperthyroid' and 'high thyroid', analysing 115 videos after exclusions. Two independent researchers assessed videos using the Global Quality Scale (GQS, range 0-5) for overall content quality, the modified DISCERN (mDISCERN, range 0-5) for reliability and the Accuracy in Digital Information (ANDI, range 0-4) tool for factual correctness. We categorised creator credentials and content purpose, performing statistical analyses to examine associations with video quality and engagement. RESULTS: Of the 115 videos analysed, the mean ANDI score was 3.15/4, the mean GQS was 2.72/5, and the mean mDISCERN score was 2.47/5. Educational content (98.3%) demonstrated higher GQS (p = 0.019) and mDISCERN (p = 0.040) scores than non-educational content. Conversely, anecdotal content (35.7%) was associated with significantly lower GQS (p = 0.002) and mDISCERN (p < 0.001) scores. Healthcare professionals (HCPs, 37.4% of creators) produced videos with higher ANDI (p = 0.015), GQS (p < 0.001) and mDISCERN (p < 0.001) scores than non-HCPs. Notably, physician-created videos garnered higher engagement across all metrics (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: While some TikTok content on hyperthyroidism is of high quality, particularly from healthcare professionals, the platform is dominated by lower quality content from non-experts. This underscores the need for increased engagement from healthcare professionals on social media to improve the accuracy and reliability of health information available to the public.