An analysis of keloid patient questions on Reddit.

Abstract

Reddit is one of the world's leading social media platforms, fostering active community discussions on a variety of topics including keloids. The prevalence and reach of conversations on Reddit underscore the need to investigate and understand patient perspectives and gaps in knowledge. Herein, we present an in-depth analysis of questions and concerns of Reddit users on keloids, offering valuable insights into patient experiences, knowledge gaps and treatment preferences. The study presents a distinct approach by harnessing the power of social media data to understand patient perspectives, which may not be readily apparent in clinical settings. All posts on the 'Hot' page of the subreddit r/Keloids were analyzed. Questions were categorized and subcategorized to reveal common themes. A total of 644 questions from 513 posts between 26 March 2017 and 28 August 2023 were identified and analyzed. Reddit users most frequently asked questions regarding keloid management (57.5%). Other common categories included uncertainty regarding diagnosis or symptoms (15.1%), living with keloids (7.5%) and causes or triggers (6.2%). This analysis highlights critical areas of patient knowledge gaps and potential misconceptions regarding keloids. For dermatologists, understanding these patient questions is crucial. Such insights allow for patient-centric education and treatments, ensuring more effective and comprehensive care.