Ahmet Uğur ATILAN, Niyazi ÇETİN
Turkish Journal of Dermatology - 2026;20(1):17-24
Aim: To examine the correspondence between the burden of dermatological diseases, measured by disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and public interest reflected in Google Trends (GTs) search activity in Türkiye, to provide evidence-based contributions for the development of effective public health strategies. Materials and Methods: DALY estimates for 14 dermatological conditions were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 database. GTs scores for both medical and lay terms, derived from the Turkish Dermatology Association's patient brochures, were retrieved from January 2021 to May 2025. Results: A positive correlation was observed between DALY burden and search interest (Spearman's correlation coefficient rho = 0.60; P = 0.024). Acne vulgaris demonstrated a close alignment between the DALY rate and the RSV value. Conditions with high DALY burden but low visibility included dermatitis and psoriasis. Conversely, pruritus and scabies showed disproportionately high search interest relative to their DALY burden. Conclusion: Google search activity captures only part of the epidemiological landscape of dermatological disease in Türkiye. These discrepancies indicate missed opportunities for targeted awareness and early detection strategies, particularly for skin cancers where timely presentation is essential.
