Abstract
OBJECTIVE: With rising kidney stone prevalence in China (currently 7.54%), patients increasingly seek health information through short video platforms like TikTok and Bilibili. However, the quality and reliability of kidney stone-related content on these platforms remains unclear, potentially affecting patient understanding and health decisions. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, we analyzed 172 kidney stone videos from TikTok (n=95) and Bilibili (n=77). Videos were categorized by uploader type: professional individuals (67.44%), nonprofessional individuals (22.09%), professional institutions (6.40%), and nonprofessional institutions (4.07%). Quality assessment utilized the Global Quality Score (GQS) and modified DISCERN tool, evaluating content comprehensiveness across six domains: definition, symptoms, risk factors, evaluation, management, and outcomes. Statistical analyses compared platform differences and uploader type variations. RESULTS: TikTok demonstrated significantly higher engagement metrics (median views: 140,255 vs. 10,489; comments: 207 vs. 37; likes: 703 vs. 78) but shorter video duration (53s vs. 121s, p<0.001). Although the median DISCERN score was 2 on both platforms, the distribution was significantly different (p=0.013), with Bilibili videos achieving higher scores (median GQS: 3.0 vs. 2.0, p=0.002; DISCERN: 2.0 vs. 2.0, p=0.013). Professional institutions produced highest-quality content across both platforms (GQS: 3.0-4.0; DISCERN: 2.0-3.0), significantly outperforming nonprofessional creators (p<0.001). Content analysis revealed inadequate coverage of comprehensive kidney stone education, with most videos focusing on basic symptoms and management rather than prevention and risk factors. CONCLUSION: While professional creators maintain higher content quality, overall kidney stone information quality on short video platforms remains suboptimal. Platform-specific differences suggest Bilibili's longer format enables more comprehensive education despite lower engagement. Enhanced content standards and professional creator incentivization are needed to improve kidney stone health education on social media platforms.