An analysis of online messages about probiotics

Abstract

Internet websites are a resource for patients seeking information about probiotics. We examined a sample of 71 websites presenting probiotic information. We found that descriptions of benefits far outnumbered descriptions of risks and commercial websites presented significantly fewer risks than noncommercial websites. The bias towards the presentation of therapeutic benefits in online content suggests that patients are likely interested in using probiotics and may have unrealistic expectations for therapeutic benefit. Gastroenterologists may find it useful to initiate conversations about probiotics within the context of a comprehensive health management plan and should seek to establish realistic therapeutic expectations with their patients.

Findings

A recent analysis by the Pew Internet & American Life Project found that 80% of Internet users in the U.S. search the Internet to obtain health-related information [1]. Those who are living with chronic disease report going online to search for health related information at a slightly higher rate (83%) [1]. These trends reflect the increasing popularity of the Internet as a key source of information about health and highlight the need for physicians to be familiar with the content of health-related websites their patients may be accessing [2–5].

Like many patients with chronic illness, individuals with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases often turn to the Internet for information on treatment options [6]. Of particular interest to many patients living with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and other chronic GI diseases is the potential utility of probiotics and other so-called complementary and alternative medicines [7]. Patients can purchase probiotics directly and the marketing of these products is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a manner that is comparable to the regulation of pharmaceutical drugs. These considerations highlight the need to examine Internet messages about probiotics. Knowing what information is communicated to patients, and by whom, is critical for gastroenterologists and other clinicians who care for patients with chronic GI diseases, many of whom are using probiotics or may be considering their use as a supplement to ongoing care regimens [7–10].

We present a systematic description of Internet websites discussing probiotics. Our analysis describes: 1- Internet depictions of the potential benefits and risks of probiotics; 2- common misrepresentations of probiotics; and, 3- other information that may influence patient decisions about the use of probiotics. To the extent that these Internet messages may shape patient attitudes and beliefs, gastroenterologists should be aware of how the potential benefits and risks of probiotics are being presented to the patients they serve. By understanding the full spectrum of Internet messages concerning probiotics, gastroenterologists can better engage their patients in discussions about probiotics and their potential use as a tool for managing chronic GI diseases.

We constructed a sample of probiotic-related websites using criteria that would mirror the search patterns of patients with GI diseases. Online searches were completed initially using the five most popular search engines at the time of sampling—Google, Yahoo, LiveSearch, AOL, and Ask [11]. Due to the similar search algorithms employed by these five search engines, keyword searches using the term “probiotics” returned similar results. Therefore, we chose to rely on two popular search engines, Google and Yahoo, in identifying relevant Internet websites. We conducted Internet queries using these search engines from May 6 to 26, 2009. Based on the work of Eysenbach and colleagues, which suggests that consumers’ online health information searches are typically limited to initial search results, we limited our sample to the first 50 results of each search engine query (5 pages of results per query) [12]. Websites were excluded from the sample if the website: 1- existed solely as a retail site intended for direct purchase; 2- was not able to be accessed at the time of sample selection; 3- was determined to be an erroneous result upon closer examination (e.g. a clearly unrelated website with no content related to probiotics); 4- focused on non-human applications of probiotics; or 5- was a peer reviewed scientific, medical, or research article or book (Figure 1).

Figure 1

Description of Sampling Methods.

Due to the highly dynamic nature of online content, discrete images of each website were saved as PDF files along with the date on which the content was captured. Two analysts independently reviewed each of these files using a code sheet to document specific content areas and qualities of the websites. A code sheet was developed and used to evaluate major content areas (Table 1). The Sandvik scale was used to evaluate overall website quality based on seven characteristics measured on a scale from 0-worst to 2-best [13]. These results were then summed for a best possible score of 14 [13].

Table 1 Coding categories used to analyze the content of 71 Internet websites on probiotics

After two analysts independently coded websites for content, their respective code sheets were compared and used to establish a single consensus code sheet. Cohen’s kappa statistic was used to evaluate agreement between the two analysts and showed very high levels of agreement across the 10153 items (143 items per website) evaluated [14]. Kappa values for each of the 71 websites ranged from 0.41 to 0.94, with a mean value of 0.72 and standard deviation of 0.10. Results were entered into an Access database and imported into SPSS version 19.0 for further analysis [15]. Descriptive statistics were examined to check for outliers and data-entry errors. Independent samples t-tests (for ordinal data) and Fisher’s exact tests (for nominal data) were used to assess differences between commercial and noncommercial websites. P values of < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.

A total of 71 websites were identified and analyzed for content. As shown in Table 2, these websites were diverse with respect to content and intended audience. Approximately half of the websites (51%) were categorized as commercial. Websites that were not commercial in nature included those run by non-profit organizations (13%), news media (13%), Internet content farms^a (4%), and personal websites (4%). Two websites included in the sample were maintained by medical institutions, one from the Mayo Clinic and another from the University of Alabama Health System. The only government site included in the analysis was supported by the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.

Table 2 Characteristics of 71 Internet websites on probiotics

A majority of these websites (76%) identified at least one probiotic product using a commercial brand name. It was also common for websites to have some connection or “linkage” to more information about a specific probiotic product (72%) (Table 2). Many of those links were to product advertisements (75%). Other links directed readers to outside websites where probiotic products could be purchased (47%).

By utilizing a standard metric to examine website quality, the Sandvik score set a mean overall quality score at 9.3 (Table 3). When commercial and noncommercial websites were compared, their Sandvik scores differed significantly with mean scores of 7.7 and 10.7 respectively (p=.001). Commercial websites received consistently lower mean ratings than their noncommercial counterparts in six of the seven content areas examined using the Sandvik scale, including “balance,” “authorship,” and “currency” of content, with significantly lower mean scores across each of these three areas (p=.001).

Table 3 Comparison of general quality criteria scores (Sandvik Scores) between 71 commercial and noncommercial Internet websites

Websites were generally accurate in their depictions of what probiotics are and how they function in the host (Table 4). Probiotics typically were described as “complementary” to other approaches to promoting good health. Although a widely accepted definition of probiotics recommended by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization (FAO-WHO) was not used consistently across websites, over half of the websites did contain all four components of this definition (56%). Two primary elements of this definition, that probiotics are “live microorganisms” (89%) ingested to provide “health benefit” (86%), were present in most websites. Websites often suggested that probiotics may provide benefits related to general health and wellness (70%) as well as improvements in GI health (96%).

Table 4 Characterizations of probiotics on 71 Internet websites

The description of probiotics as consumable products almost uniformly included some mention of the species (94%) and manner in which it is to be ingested (99%). In addition to defining what probiotics are and suggesting appropriate indications for their use, all but one website noted at least one mechanism of action by which probiotic bacteria function in the host. The two most common mechanisms described were to regulate immune response (83%) and inhibit pathogenic bacteria colonization (82%).

Focus on therapeutic benefit

The representation of potential benefits and risks varied greatly across websites (Table 5). Seventy percent of websites identified at least one specific disease or clinical indication for probiotics. Specific benefits cited ranged from relieving general gastrointestinal distress such as gas and bloating (n=63), to managing behavioral symptoms related to autism (n=6) and preventing cardiovascular disease (n=4). Specific risks associated with probiotics were noted less frequently than benefits and typically focused on minor GI issues such as the potential for diarrhea or gas (n=28). A few websites also discussed less common risks related to bacterial infection (n=7) and headaches (n=4). Other potential safety issues focused on heightened risks for specific populations, such as probiotic use by children (n=20) and pregnant women (n=13). Of the websites examined, 47% did not mention any risks associated with probiotic use.

Table 5 Specific benefits and risks of probiotics described on 71 Internet websites*

On average, websites mentioned 10.2 benefits and 1.8 risks per website, with an upper range of 36 benefits and 11 risks on any individual site (Table 6). The number of risks described on commercial websites was significantly lower than noncommercial websites (1.0 and 3.0 respectively; p=.002). Although no formal evaluation was performed, websites often reiterated one or more benefits of using probiotics multiple times throughout the text. Conversely, the discussion of risks associated with probiotics was less commonly reiterated in multiple locations.

Table 6 A comparison of how commercial and noncommercial websites portray probiotics

Statements regarding the general safety of probiotics appeared in approximately half (49%) of the websites reviewed (Table 6). Broad statements of general health benefit—such as claims that probiotics can help “Maintain optimal health and wellness”—were present in more than half of the websites (59%). Commercial websites were significantly more likely to include such a statement (62%) in comparison to noncommercial websites (32%) (p=.031).

Nearly half (47%) of the websites encouraged readers to discuss probiotics with a heath care provider and 56% explicitly endorsed the use of probiotics (Table 6). These endorsements were often made by an identifiable individual, such as a named physician (23%), other medical professional (31%) or patient/consumer (21%). Commercial websites were more likely to recommend the use of probiotics than noncommercial websites (p=.001).

When gastroenterologists and other healthcare providers (HCPs) encounter patients who are interested in using probiotics as therapy for their GI disease, they should anticipate that many of these patients will have been exposed to a variety of messages concerning the health benefits of probiotics. Our data indicate that many Internet websites contain unsubstantiated and misleading claims about the therapeutic benefits of probiotics. This benefit-focused messaging is particularly troubling given that probiotics have not been studied extensively in clinical trials and there is little to no evidence supporting many of the benefits claimed on some websites. For example, although there is evidence suggesting that probiotic bacteria may have some utility in the care of patients with IBS, ulcerative colitis, and pouchitis [16–21], claims that probiotics can prevent cancer or assist in managing autistic behaviors lack empirical support.

In addition to unsupported claims of benefit, our analysis also revealed a comparative lack of information about the risks of using probiotics. Studies suggest that the level of risk posed to healthy individuals by a typical probiotic is very low [22]. In the absence of high quality data documenting harms associated with typical uses of probiotics, the lack of online information about possible side effects is unsurprising. For some individuals, however, such as immunocompromised patients who may be seeking probiotics to manage a chronic GI disease, there may be additional risks that are not discussed on most Internet websites [23–27].

Effective patient communication amid mixed health messages

Alongside the specific health benefits noted above, our analysis identified many broad statements promoting probiotics as a general wellness tool. The promotion of probiotics as a holistic “complementary and alternative medicine” (CAM) situates these products in a market space occupied primarily by healthy consumers seeking to prevent disease and maintain overall health and wellness. Unfortunately, a number of studies have demonstrated that patients often are reluctant to discuss their interest in CAM with physicians [28–32]. In the case of probiotics, wellness messaging on Internet websites may make patients less likely to consult with a HCP prior to using probiotics. By employing a combination of marketing messages, focusing on both specific symptom management and promotion of overall health, probiotic products are depicted as both benign CAM and as powerful disease management tools, even within the very same website. This dual messaging may create confusion among patients with chronic GI diseases, who may wonder where these products fit within the context of their current therapies. Of particular concern is that these patients may discontinue medication use without consulting a gastroenterologist, in favor of over-the-counter probiotic products.

The difference in language used to market probiotics to healthy consumers contrasts with marketing strategies designed to elicit interest among patients with chronic GI diseases. In a study by Mercer and colleagues, when GI patients were asked to comment on their personal perceptions of the risks and benefits of probiotics, the authors found that many GI patients were reluctant to initiate new treatments, even over-the-counter treatments, without consulting their physicians [7]. Mercer and colleagues also found that patients expressed concerns that while probiotics may be effective in promoting good digestive health for many individuals, as patients with chronic GI diseases, they felt they needed to exercise greater caution in using products that affect digestive balance. For many of these patients, claims of improved digestive health were not sufficient to motivate probiotic use.

Another source of inconsistent online messaging about probiotics is evident in the frequent suggestion that individuals consult a physician or other medical professional prior to using probiotics. Although the importance of seeking advice from a physician was explicit on many websites this message frequently was accompanied by tips on where to purchase over-the-counter probiotics or invitations to purchase probiotics online. While suggestions to bring physicians into decisions about the use of probiotics may temper patient’s enthusiasm to purchase probiotics independently, appeals to physician involvement may also suggest greater levels of medical benefit than are supported by available data.

We suggest that the responsibility to clarify the potential benefits and risks of probiotic therapies falls squarely in the hands of health care providers. By discussing probiotics with patients in a nonjudgmental manner that is mindful of the many mixed messages that patients may have received concerning these products, HCPs can help patients assess what role, if any, probiotics should play in their ongoing treatment approach.

Commercial interests

The complex and sometimes inconsistent mix of messages about probiotics presented online are further complicated by a strong presence of commercial interests in many of the websites patients may view. Structurally these sites interface closely with probiotic marketing and frequently identify specific brands or products by name. Even when patients are not offered the opportunity to purchase a particular product online, our data shows that online searches will often include multiple websites promoting the use of probiotic products. The influence of commercial interests is of particular concern since the overall quality of commercial websites, as measured by the Sandvik score, was significantly lower in comparison to websites that lacked a commercial focus. Many commercial websites failed to identify an author, failed to indicate how current the information contained on the site was, and lacked balance. These findings suggest that HCPs should be cautious in promoting any particular product and direct interested patients to more balanced, higher quality websites maintained by noncommercial entities.

In an era when direct-to-consumer advertising plays a major role in the marketing of pharmaceutical drugs [33, 34], the strategies employed on probiotic websites are not surprising. In addition, manufacturers’ claims regarding the efficacy of probiotic products are not subjected to the rigorous oversight typical of pharmaceutical drugs [35]. Nonetheless, references to peer-reviewed medical literature appeared in the majority of the websites we reviewed (63%). The presence of such citations implies a certain degree of scientific validity behind claims of safety or efficacy, regardless of the accuracy of the specific statements made or relevance of the studies cited. In a best case scenario, potential inconsistencies between available research data and claims of health benefit would be discussed in a clinical setting, with the involvement of a knowledgeable gastroenterology specialist. However, it is unclear whether patients will seek this additional input from a HCP or pursue probiotics outside clinical settings, as a self-management approach.

Study limitations

This study of online content related to probiotics has several limitations that reflect our approach to defining an appropriate sample. First and foremost is the challenge of characterizing the ever-changing information available on the Internet. By taking snapshots of relevant websites within a defined time period we were able to minimize the amount of change that may have occurred during data collection and analysis. Subsequent searches of Internet content returned a similar set of websites, suggesting that this information may be reasonably stable. We did not assess the stability of this information formally, however, which is a limitation of our approach. In addition, our analysis of website content, which employed well established qualitative methods and duplicate analysis by two independent coders, has the potential to introduce human error or evaluator bias. Finally, our approach focused narrowly on website content and did not consider how individuals who are exposed to this information may understand or use the information presented. Although not within the scope of our study, our findings highlight the need for additional research examining how patients interpret online information about probiotics and make healthcare choices based on that information.

As ever larger volumes of information are available directly to patients via the Internet, one of the greatest challenges facing HCPs is to stay current with the many health-related messages that patients may encounter outside traditional clinical settings. Although this challenge is not unique to gastroenterology, the marketing and direct availability of probiotic products combine to create additional challenges in maintaining good communication between patients and their HCPs.

Our results suggest that the combination of directive product branding, unsubstantiated claims of health benefit on Internet websites, and direct patient access to probiotics, should be cause for concern among gastroenterologists. The messages patients receive from Internet websites may require that gastroenterologists and other HCPs revisit their patients’ expectations about probiotics and provide a more scientifically grounded and balanced overview of their therapeutic value. These discussions should aim to clarify the potential benefits and risks of probiotics for individuals with chronic GI diseases, highlighting potential differences in the benefit-to-risk profiles of probiotic usage for healthy consumers in comparison to patients with chronic GI diseases. Gastroenterologists may also find it helpful to direct interested patients to well established sources of health information that are free of commercial influence. By initiating these discussions, gastroenterologists and other patient educators can help to establish realistic expectations about probiotics.

Endnotes

^a According to MacMillan Dictionary a content farm is, “A website which publishes huge volumes of low-quality content.”