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New research · Rheumatology
Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases · 17h
AI / informaticsJournal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases · 2026

The Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Illness Perception and Treatment Adherence in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases.

Egla Samantha Sanchez-Peralta, Sharon Hervert-Bulbarella, Margarita Isabel Alarcon-Jarquin … Diana Elsa Flores-Alvarado
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RheumatologyAI / informatics

Nearly all patients with rheumatic diseases use social media daily

The Impact of Social Media and Artificial Intelligence on Illness Perception and Treatment Adherence in Patients With Rheumatic Diseases.

Egla Samantha Sanchez-Peralta et al. · Journal of clinical rheumatology : practical reports on rheumatic & musculoskeletal diseases · 2026
Background

In the wake of the COVID-19 "infodemic," patients increasingly turn to social media (SM) and artificial intelligence (AI) for health information.

Purpose

This study evaluated engagement with and attitudes toward SM/AI among patients with rheumatology conditions to inform patient-centered care.

Methods

We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study at a tertiary outpatient clinic in Monterrey, Mexico, from August 2024 to November 2024.

Results

almost every patient surveyed checks social media every day

94.7%
Daily SM use
30.5%
Used AI for disease qu
More results

Patients aged 45 or younger showed significantly higher electronic HL (p = 0.010) and engagement with SM (p < 0.001).

Importantly, younger patients were less likely to change their treatment based on SM content compared with older patients (p = 0.043).

More results

Although attitudes toward AI did not vary by age, 84.2% of patients believed their doctors were open to discussing digital information, and 91.6% would use SM if recommended by their physicians.

“
Conclusion

Digital health literacy significantly influences how patients process online information and manage treatment adherence.

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