Google Trends Analysis of Otologic Symptom Searches Following COVID-19

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, United States and Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States.

2 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States.

3 Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States and Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA, United States.

Abstract

Introduction:
COVID-19 infection was accompanied by otologic symptoms, a pattern that was captured early by Google Trends. The objective of this study is to investigate searches for otologic symptoms and identify correlations with the pandemic onset.
Materials and Methods:
Search interest for otologic symptoms was gathered using Google Trends from two years before and two years following the pandemic start date. A two-tailed Mann-Whitney U test was used to identify significant changes and effect size.
Results:
In total, search interest for 14 terms was collected, with significant changes identified in 11. Six terms showed increased search interest, with the most significant rises observed for headache (r=0.589, p<0.001), dizziness (r=0.554, p<0.001), and tinnitus (r=0.410, p<0.001). Search interest decreased for five terms, with the most notable declines found in searches for migraine headache (r=0.35, p<0.001) and phonophobia (r=0.22, p=0.002). No significant changes were seen in ear pressure (p=0.142), neck pain (p=0.935), and sudden hearing loss (p=0.863) searches.
Conclusion:
COVID-19 infection is often accompanied otologic symptoms and holds a diagnostic role. Fluctuating search interest may be attributed to a true increase in cases, media trends, or people’s desires to stay informed. Google Trends robustly captured trends in search interest and presented itself as a valuable epidemiological tool.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

  1. Cucinotta D, Vanelli M. WHO Declares COVID-19 a Pandemic. Acta Biomed. 2020; 91(1):157-160.
  2. Aiyegbusi OL, Hughes SE, Turner G, et al. Symptoms, complications and management of long COVID: a review. J R Soc Med. 2021;114(9):428-442.
  3. Elibol E. Otolaryngological symptoms in COVID-19. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2021; 278(4): 1233-1236.
  4. Chern A, Famuyide AO, Moonis G, Lalwani AK. Bilateral Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss and Intralabyrinthine Hemorrhage in a Patient With COVID-19. Otol Neurotol. 2021;42(1):e10-e14.
  5. Beukes E, Ulep AJ, Eubank T, Manchaiah V. The Impact of COVID-19 and the Pandemic on Tinnitus: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med. 2021; 10(13).
  6. Gosavi S, Nagarajan S, Shah NJ, Thomas NAT, Kumar KR, Sangole V. ENT Symptomology in Active COVID-19 Patients in our Tertiary Care Centre. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022; 74(Suppl 2):3092-3097.
  7. Chirakkal P, Al Hail AN, Zada N, Vijayakumar DS. COVID-19 and Tinnitus. Ear Nose Throat J. 2021;100(2_suppl):160S-162S.
  8. Beckers E, Chouvel P, Cassetto V, Mustin V. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss in COVID-19: A case report and literature review. Clin Case Rep. 2021;9(4):2300-2304.
  9. Satar B. Criteria for establishing an association between Covid-19 and hearing loss. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020;41(6):102658.
  10. Varga Z, Flammer AJ, Steiger P, et al. Endothelial cell infection and endotheliitis in COVID-19. Lancet. 2020;395(10234):1417-1418.
  11. Harenberg J, Jonas JB, Trecca EMC. A Liaison between Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss and SARS-CoV-2 Infection. Thromb Haemost. 2020; 120(9):1237-1239.
  12. Parrino D, Frosolini A, Gallo C, De Siati RD, Spinato G, de Filippis C. Tinnitus following COVID-19 vaccination: report of three cases. Int J Audiol. 2022;61(6):526-529.
  13. Baden LR, El Sahly HM, Essink B, et al. Efficacy and Safety of the mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine. N Engl J Med. 2021;384(5):403-416.
  14. Polack FP, Thomas SJ, Kitchin N, et al. Safety and Efficacy of the BNT162b2 mRNA Covid-19 Vaccine. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(27):2603-2615.
  15. Abouzari M, Goshtasbi K, Chua JT, et al. Adjuvant Migraine Medications in the Treatment of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. Laryngoscope. 2021;131(1):E283-E288.
  16. Wichova H, Miller ME, Derebery MJ. Otologic Manifestations After COVID-19 Vaccination: The House Ear Clinic Experience. Otol Neurotol. 2021; 42(9):e1213-e1218.
  17. Beukes EW, Baguley DM, Jacquemin L, et al. Changes in Tinnitus Experiences During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Front Public Health. 2020; 8: 592878.
  18. Bhatta S, Sharma S, Sharma D, et al. Study of Hearing Status in COVID-19 Patients: A Multicentered Review. Indian J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;74(Suppl 2):3036-3042.
  19. Vosen S, Schmidt T. Forecasting private consumption: survey-based indicators vs. Google trends. Journal of Forecasting. 2011;30(6):565-578.
  20. Seifter A, Schwarzwalder A, Geis K, Aucott J. The utility of "Google Trends" for epidemiological research: Lyme disease as an example. Geospat Health. 2010;4(2):135-137.
  21. Jun S-P, Yoo HS, Choi S. Ten years of research change using Google Trends: From the perspective of big data utilizations and applications. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 2018; 130:69-87.
  22. Kang M, Zhong H, He J, Rutherford S, Yang F. Using Google Trends for influenza surveillance in South China. PLoS One. 2013;8(1):e55205.
  23. Carneiro HA, Mylonakis E. Google trends: a web-based tool for real-time surveillance of disease outbreaks. Clin Infect Dis. 2009;49(10):1557-1564.
  24. Nuti SV, Wayda B, Ranasinghe I, et al. The use of google trends in health care research: a systematic review. PLoS One. 2014;9(10):e109583.
  25. Cervellin G, Comelli I, Lippi G. Is Google Trends a reliable tool for digital epidemiology? Insights from different clinical settings. J Epidemiol Glob Health. 2017;7(3):185-189.
  26. Walker A, Hopkins C, Surda P. Use of Google Trends to investigate loss-of-smell-related searches during the COVID-19 outbreak. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2020;10(7):839-847.
  27. Pier MM, Pasick LJ, Benito DA, Alnouri G, Sataloff RT. Otolaryngology-related Google Search trends during the COVID-19 pandemic. Am J Otolaryngol. 2020;41(6):102615.
  28. Williams CYK, Ferreira AF, Townson AT, Pace A. 1603 A Google Trends Analysis of Interest in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery During The COVID-19 Pandemic. British Journal of Surgery. 2021;108(Supplement_6).
  29. Lem M, Kim JK, Pham JT, Tang CJ. Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Global Interest in Plastic Surgery. JPRAS Open. 2023;37:63-71.
  30. Lem M, Pham JT, Kim JK, Tang CJ. Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Nonsurgical Cosmetic Procedure Interest. The American Journal of Cosmetic Surgery. 2022.
  31. Husnayain A, Fuad A, Su EC. Applications of Google Search Trends for risk communication in infectious disease management: A case study of the COVID-19 outbreak in Taiwan. Int J Infect Dis. 2020;95:221-223.
  32. Kurian SJ, Bhatti AUR, Alvi MA, et al. Correlations Between COVID-19 Cases and Google Trends Data in the United States: A State-by-State Analysis. Mayo Clin Proc. 2020;95(11):2370-2381.
  33. Abbas M, Morland TB, Hall ES, El-Manzalawy Y. Associations between Google Search Trends for Symptoms and COVID-19 Confirmed and Death Cases in the United States. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021;18(9).
  34. Ialongo C. Understanding the effect size and its measures.Biochem Med(Zagreb).2016;26(2):150-163.
  35. Akoglu H. User's guide to correlation coefficients. Turk J Emerg Med. 2018;18(3):91-93.
  36. R: A Language and Environment for Statistical Computing [computer program]. Version 4.2.0: R Foundation for Statistical Computing; 2022.
  37. rstatix: Pipe-Friendly Framework for Basic Statistical Tests [computer program]. 2021.
  38. Massicotte P, Eddelbuettel D. gtrendsR: Perform and Display Google Trends Queries. 2022.
  39. Luhnen J, Frese T, Mau W, et al. Public information needs and preferences on COVID-19: a cross-sectional study. BMC Public Health. 2023; 23(1):394.
  40. Jung YH, Ha EH, Park J, Choe KW, Lee WJ, Jo DH. Neurological and Psychiatric Manifestations of Post-COVID-19 Conditions. J Korean Med Sci. 2023; 38(11):e83.
  41. Saniasiaya J, Kulasegarah J. Dizziness and COVID-19. Ear Nose Throat J. 2021;100(1):29-30.
  42. Finsterer J, Edmonds R. Persisting, unilateral tinnitus 22 days after first dose of an mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine. J Family Med Prim Care. 2022;11(6):3330-3332.
  43. Caronna E, Ballve A, Llaurado A, et al. Headache: A striking prodromal and persistent symptom, predictive of COVID-19 clinical evolution. Cephalalgia. 2020;40(13):1410-1421.
  44. Trigo J, Garcia-Azorin D, Planchuelo-Gomez A, et al. Factors associated with the presence of headache in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and impact on prognosis: a retrospective cohort study. J Headache Pain. 2020;21(1):94.
  45. Vargas-Gandica J, Winter D, Schnippe R, et al. Ageusia and anosmia, a common sign of COVID-19? A case series from four countries. J Neurovirol. 2020; 26(5):785-789.
  46. Rocha-Filho PAS, Magalhaes JE. Headache associated with COVID-19: Frequency, characteristics and association with anosmia and ageusia. Cephalalgia. 2020;40(13):1443-1451.
  47. Tan M, Cengiz DU, Demir I, et al. Effects of Covid-19 on the audio-vestibular system. Am J Otolaryngol. 2022;43(1):103173.
  48. Korres G, Kitsos DK, Kaski D, et al. The Prevalence of Dizziness and Vertigo in COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Review.Brain Sci.2022;12 (7).
  49. Leong S, Teh BM, Kim AH. Characterization of otologic symptoms appearing after COVID-19 vaccination. Am J Otolaryngol. 2023;44(2):103725.
  50. Alde M, Di Berardino F, Ambrosetti U, et al. Audiological and vestibular symptoms following SARS-CoV-2 infection and COVID-19 vaccination in children aged 5-11 years. Am J Otolaryngol. 2023;44(1):103669.
  51. Kaliyappan K, Chen YC, Krishnan Muthaiah VP. Vestibular Cochlear Manifestations in COVID-19 Cases. Front Neurol. 2022;13:850337.
  52. Jafari Z, Kolb BE, Mohajerani MH. Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, and Dizziness in COVID-19: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Can J Neurol Sci. 2022;49(2):184-195.
  53. Karimi-Galougahi M, Naeini AS, Raad N, Mikaniki N, Ghorbani J. Vertigo and hearing loss during the COVID-19 pandemic - is there an association? Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2020; 40(6):463-465.
  54. Di Mauro P, La Mantia I, Cocuzza S, et al. Acute Vertigo After COVID-19 Vaccination: Case Series and Literature Review. Front Med (Lausanne). 2021;8:790931.
  55. Jeong M, Ocwieja KE, Han D, et al. Direct SARS-CoV-2 infection of the human inner ear may underlie COVID-19-associated audiovestibular dysfunction. Commun Med (Lond). 2021;1(1):44.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. Chen X, Fu YY, Zhang TY. Role of viral infection in sudden hearing loss. J Int Med Res. 2019;47(7):2865-2872.
  2. Parrino D, Frosolini A, Toninato D, Matarazzo A, Marioni G, de Filippis C. Sudden hearing loss and vestibular disorders during and before COVID-19 pandemic: An audiology tertiary referral centre experience. Am J Otolaryngol. 2022;43(1):103241.
  3. Africa RE, Westenhaver ZK, Zimmerer RE, McKinnon BJ. Evaluation of Disturbances in Hearing, Tinnitus, and Dizziness as Signs of COVID-19 Infection.Otol Neurotol.2023; 44(2): 126-133.
  4. Thrane JF, Britze A, Fjaeldstad AW. Incidence and duration of self-reported hearing loss and tinnitus in a cohort of COVID-19 patients with sudden chemosensory loss: A STROBE observational study. Eur Ann Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Dis. 2022; 139(3):125-128.
  5. Doweck I, Yanir Y, Najjar-Debbiny R, Shibli R, Saliba W. Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JAMA Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2022;148(4):373-375.
  6. Basch CH, Park E, Kollia B, Quinones N. Online News Coverage of COVID-19 Long Haul Symptoms. J Community Health. 2022;47(2):306-310.
  7. Sousa-Pinto B, Anto A, Czarlewski W, Anto JM, Fonseca JA, Bousquet J. Assessment of the Impact of Media Coverage on COVID-19-Related Google Trends Data: Infodemiology Study. J Med Internet Res. 2020;22(8):e19611.
  8. Mellon J. Internet Search Data and Issue Salience: The Properties of Google Trends as a Measure of Issue Salience. Journal of Elections, Public Opinion and Parties. 2013;24(1):45-72.
Iranian Journal of Otorhinolaryngology
Volume 36, Issue 3
May and June 2024
Pages 475-482

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics