Seasonal Trends in Public Interest for Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A 10-Year Infodemiology Analysis Using Google Trends

TL;DR

This study uses Google Trends to analyze 10 years of public interest in gastrointestinal symptoms, finding seasonal patterns that could help predict healthcare needs.

Contribution

The study reveals distinct seasonal trends in public interest for gastrointestinal symptoms using infodemiology tools.

Findings

Stomach pain and heartburn peak in January, while bloating and diarrhea peak in July.

Bloody stool showed the largest seasonal amplitude at 63.2 percent.

Seasonal patterns in GI symptom searches can inform public health surveillance and resource planning.

Abstract

Online search data have emerged as a novel tool to assess public health interest and behavior. Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms are prevalent, yet little is known about their seasonal variation from a population behavior standpoint. This study uses Google Trends to evaluate temporal patterns in public search interest for common GI symptoms over a 10-year period in the United States. Relative search volumes (RSVs) for six GI symptoms (stomach pain, heartburn, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and bloody stool) were extracted from Google Trends spanning January 2015 to January 2025. Data were normalized, aggregated monthly, and subjected to seasonal-trend decomposition using Loess (STL) to isolate long-term and seasonal components. Peak months were determined based on the seasonal component. Stomach pain had the highest overall search volume, with a seasonal peak in January reflecting a 15.7 percent rise. Heartburn also peaked in January with a 14 percent increase. Bloating and diarrhea showed greater seasonal fluctuation, peaking in July with increases of 41.8 percent and 21.2 percent, respectively. Constipation peaked in February with an 18.9 percent rise. Bloody stool showed the largest seasonal amplitude at 63.2 percent, though without a consistent peak month. Google Trends data reveal distinct seasonal patterns in public interest for GI symptoms, with peaks mainly in winter and summer. Infodemiology tools such as Google Trends can enhance public health surveillance and help anticipate seasonal healthcare needs.

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