Assessing the content and quality of gout-related videos on video platforms: A cross-sectional study

Background: The increasing global incidence of gout has heightened public interest in accessible health information. Video-sharing platforms such as Bilibili, Douyin, and YouTube have become major sources of gout-related content, yet the quality and reliability of these videos remain insufficiently evaluated. Methods: On September 1, 2025, approximately 100 top gout-related videos were retrieved from each platform. Video features and interaction metrics were recorded. Quality and reliability were appraised using the Global Quality Score (GQS), modified DISCERN (mDISCERN), Patient Education Materials Assessment Tool (PEMAT), and Video Information and Quality Index (VIQI). Spearman correlation analyses explored relationships between video characteristics and quality scores. Results: Overall quality was moderate (GQS: 3.00; mDISCERN: 2.00; PEMAT-T: 75.00; PEMAT-U: 83.33; PEMAT-A: 75.00; VIQI: 15.00; respectively). Douyin videos were significantly shorter with higher interaction metrics but limited depth, while YouTube and Bilibili videos were longer and covered broader topics. YouTube excelled in understandability but lagged in actionability, whereas Douyin performed best in VIQI. Healthcare professional-produced videos significantly surpassed non-professional counterparts across most quality metrics. Correlation analysis confirmed the consistency of these tools in reliability assessment. Meanwhile, positive correlations were observed between video length, view count, and quality scores. Conclusion: This study reveals that gout-related videos on major platforms exhibit moderate quality and reliability. Professional uploads demonstrated superior thematic diversity and quality compared to non-professionals. Platform-specific differences were observed: Douyin prioritized interactivity over depth, whereas YouTube and Bilibili offered broader topic coverage. Positive correlations between duration, views, and quality imply that extended, evidence-based content fosters greater engagement.