Diabetes Mellitus on YouTube: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study to Assess the Quality and Reliability of Videos

Introduction Diabetes mellitus (DM) encompasses a group of heterogeneous, chronic, and non-communicable diseases characterized by an increase in blood glucose levels. As it has become easily accessible for patients to know about their symptoms and treatment of diseases, it is of utmost importance that reliable information is conveyed on the internet. If not managed appropriately, it may result in the dissemination of false information, leading to risky practices and incorrect treatment, further resulting in detrimental consequences. Aim To assess the quality and reliability of information related to DM on YouTube. Methodology A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in April 2023, wherein top YouTube videos related to 'diabetes' were analyzed for baseline characteristics, type of uploader, as well as quality and reliability using Global Quality Score (GQS) and Reliability Score (DISCEN), respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results A total of 87 videos were evaluated in the study. Unfortunately, only 21% of those were uploaded by doctors. The median Video Power Index (VPI) for videos uploaded by other sources was the highest (184.7), and the lowest was for videos uploaded by hospitals (12.6), and this was statistically significant (p = 0.038). The median GQS was highest for videos uploaded by doctors (4) and lowest for videos uploaded by others (3.5). The reliability score was higher in videos uploaded by healthcare organizations (4), which was not significant (p > 0.05). Conclusions Videos uploaded by physicians and healthcare organizations contained reliable information with a high global quality score. Videos uploaded by sources other than doctors and healthcare professionals should consult physicians, as self-diagnosis or self-treatment can lead to potential harm to patients.