Embargoed for Release Until: Sunday, November 2, 1997, 6:00 p.m. Contact: Marie Kendra Tehonica (202) 973-1361
Surfing the Net May Be Hazardous to Your Health: Quality of Digestive Disease Information on the Internet Varies Widely
November 2, 1997, Chicago, IL -- Ten percent of Internet sites offering treatment advice for gastrointestinal (GI) diseases posted remedies that are of no proven benefit, according to a study presented at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. The researchers did find that health information about GI conditions is likely to be accurate on Web sites sponsored by government agencies, universities and medical organizations.
A major review of over 100 Web sites by medical researchers from Case Western Reserve University evaluated the origin, nature and validity of information and treatment recommendations for four major GI diseases: pancreatic cancer, duodenal ulcer, hepatitis C and irritable bowel syndrome. Web site contents were classified by type of organization providing information, type of information (i.e., disease information or treatment advice), and whether the information met the criterion of being "consistent with standard medical practice" or whether the information was "unproven."
Search results generated 187,734 references to pancreatic cancer, 13, 364 for duodenal ulcer, 4,309,620 for Hepatitis C and 18, 645 for irritable bowel syndrome. Overall, 17% of site sponsors were government agencies, 18% universities, 31% commercial organizations or pharmaceutical companies, 9% medical organizations, 9% physicians or physician groups, 3% patient anecdotes and for 9% of sites the sponsor was unknown.
The Internet is a source for a vast amount of uncensored health information on digestive health and GI conditions. Of the sites providing treatment advice, 90% of advice was consistent with standard medical practice, 10% included unproven treatments (including acupuncture, herbal remedies and nutritional supplements.) In conditions for which there is satisfactory medical treatment, such as duodenal ulcer, no sites included unproven therapies, whereas for functional gastrointestinal disorders, such as irritable bowel syndrome, 23% of sites included unproven therapies. For hepatitis C and pancreatic cancer, 17.6% and 12.5% of sites included unproven treatments respectively.
The American College of Gastroenterology offers an extensive body of GI health information to physicians and the public on its Web site which can be found at http://www.acg.gi.org. Since its launch in 1996, the ACG Website has attracted over a million hits to its pages. Of particular interest to patients and the public are the engaging and interactive materials on gastroesophageal reflux disease and colon cancer. A series of "GI Health Tips" on common GI problems was developed by physician experts from the College and offers sound guidance for consumers interested in digestive health.
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The ACG was formed in 1932 to advance the scientific study and medical treatment of disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The College promotes the highest standards in medical education and is guided by its commitment to meeting the needs of clinical gastroenterology practitioners.
Consumers can get more information on GI diseases through the following ACG-sponsored programs:
* 1-800-978-7666 (free brochures on common GI disorders, including ulcers, colon cancer, gallstones and liver disease)
* 1-800-HRT-BURN (free brochure and video on heartburn and GERD)
* www.acg.gi.org (ACG's web site)
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