Seasonal, Geographic, and Socioeconomic Patterns of Public Interest in Frailty Syndrome: Insights From Google Trends
Public Interest in Frailty Syndrome
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https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16742580Keywords:
Frailty, Public Health, Social Media/trends, Socioeconomic Factors, Digital Health, AgingAbstract
Background: Frailty syndrome is a complex geriatric condition characterized by reduced physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to stressors. While its clinical implications are well established, knowledge on public awareness remains limited. As online search behavior increasingly reflects public interest, tools like Google Trends offer real-time insights into population-level awareness of frailty and its influencing factors.
Methods: This observational study analyzed global Google Trends data for the search topic “frailty syndrome” from January 2004 to May 2025. Relative search volume (RSV) was examined across temporal, seasonal, geographic, and socioeconomic dimensions. Seasonal trends were evaluated using time-series decomposition and winter-to-summer amplitude ratios. Geographic patterns were assessed by mapping RSV and classifying countries by World Bank income levels. Pearson correlation was used to assess associations between RSV and socioeconomic indicators including GDP per capita and internet penetration.
Results: Global RSV increased from a baseline mean of 8.2 (±3.1) in 2004–2009 to a peak of 78.5 (±15.2) in 2020, followed by sustained elevated interest through 2025 (mean: 45.3 ±12.1). Seasonal analysis showed consistent winter peaks, with amplitude ratios exceeding 1.3. Japan had the highest RSV (100), followed by the United Kingdom (55), Singapore (52), and Ireland (44). All top countries were high-income. RSV was significantly correlated with GDP per capita (r = 0.62, p < 0.01) and internet penetration (r = 0.58, p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Search interest varied by season and socioeconomic context. Higher wintertime interest may reflect seasonal vulnerability in older adults, while increased search activity in high-income countries suggests better digital access and health literacy. Low visibility in lower-income regions highlights a digital and educational gap. Google Trends provides meaningful insight into frailty awareness. Understanding seasonal and socioeconomic patterns can guide targeted public health campaigns to promote early detection and prevention in aging populations.
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